The Pirates survived a hurricane, beat the Miami Hurricanes and routed five of six Conference USA opponents, losing only to league champ Southern Mississippi to finish in a tie for second place.

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And now East Carolina will face Texas Christian in the inaugural Mobile Alabama Bowl.

After struggling with a young offensive line last season, the Pirates rallied around sophomore quarterback David Garrard, a second-team all-conference selection after ranking fourth in C-USA with 259.3 yards total offense per game and third in pass efficiency.

East Carolina's defense was strong, placing linebackers Jeff Kerr, a senior, and sophomore Pernell Griffin on the all-league team. The defense ranked third in C-USA allowing 17.9 points per game and third in rushing defense (131.5 yards per game).

The Pirates' special teams unit completed the package, with punter Andrew Bayes earning All-America honors from the Football Writers Association of America after leading the nation in punting.

Now Steve Logan wants his team to cap the 9-2 season with a win over the Horned Frogs. It will be the first-ever meeting between the programs. TCU has the nation's top rusher in junior LaDainian Tomlinson, who averaged 172.5 yards and gained an NCAA record 406 yards on 43 carries in a 52-24 win over Texas-El Paso. Under second-year coach Dennis Franchione, the Frogs have the nation's 17th-rated defense, allowing 304.8 yards per game.

The Personnel File

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Keith Stokes, Jr., HB. Stokes ranked sixth in C-USA in all-purpose yards, averaging 126.3 yards per game. In addition to his offensive output, he averaged 15.5 yards per punt return and 21.6 yards on kickoff returns.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Pernell Griffin, So., LB. After making 99 tackles as a freshman, Griffin finished 1999 ranked third in C-USA with 121 tackles. He also had four sacks.

COACH UPDATE: Steve Logan (51-39 in eight seasons). The C-USA Coach of the Year seems happy in Greenville, where he's built a program comparable to Southern Miss.

STRENGTHS: The Pirates have the total package -- a dangerous offense, a run-stopping defense, a talented secondary and special teams units able to pin opponents deep in their own territory and give their offense favorable field position. They've also shown they can overcome dire conditions to beat top-rated teams.

CONCERNS: East Carolina didn't have a first-team offensive selection. The Pirates offense isn't flashy but relied on solid field position and a balanced attack. Bayes, who also handles kicking duties, had a season-long 34-yard field goal.

NOTEWORTHY: Senior linebacker Jeff Kerr was second in C-USA with eight sacks and had 90 total tackles. ... Senior Forrest Foster led the league with 16 pass break ups. Cornerback Kevin Monroe was third with 13. ... The Pirates bowl game against Texas Christian will be a preview of things to come in C-USA. The Frogs will join the league as an all-sports member in 2001.