It started with the cancellation of … I think that’s a big evaluation piece.” During the scrimmage, ECU ran 46 rush plays and, much like they did at every other position, rotated all their running backs through. While the Pirates returned their top rusher from a season ago in Demetrius Mauney and an experienced back in Darius Pinnix Jr., Houston pulled in two very promising recruits in Rahjai Harris and Keaton Mitchell. Christopher Duan Johnson (born September 23, 1985) is a former American football running back.Born in Orlando, Florida, Johnson emerged as a senior for East Carolina University where he broke out for 2,960 all-purpose yards and 24 touchdowns. Speed, balance, grace, and power he has an abundance of.” One sports writer, Steve Tompkins, added, “Crumpler is probably the finest running back to ever hit ECU.” Crumpler was voted Southern Conference Athlete of the Year in 1972 and 1973. Both years, incidentally, ECU … He played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) and the Arena Football League. ECU running back Darius Pinnix added a 2-yard touchdown in the second half to slow down SMU's momentum a bit, stretching the lead back to 52-24 early in the fourth quarter. On 29 attempts against Tulane’s stout defensive front, the Pirates managed just 35 yards on the ground, eclipsing their previous single-game worst of 41 in the 2019 season-opener. ECU enters Friday night’s game fresh off posting its lowest single-game rushing total under Mike Houston. In our continuing series of the top Pirate players since 2000, here's a … Over a 54-carry body of work on Saturday, ECU’s running back room showcased why Houston believes it is four- or five-deep with talent, racking up 244 yards and a touchdown on a 4.5 yards per carry clip. Anthony "Tony" Collins (born May 27, 1959) is a former American football running back. It's the second time the former four-star recruit has hit the portal in the span of just over a year, as he previously entered during the midst of his third season at Arkansas back in the fall of 2019. ECU head football coach Mike Houston spent the off-season lauding the depth and overall talent level of his running back room. The emergence of freshman running back Keaton Mitchell helped East Carolina close its season with two straight wins. There is a sense of urgency that surrounds junior running back Darius Pinnix who will head up a large group of ECU running backs into next week's season opener against UCF.Entering into … ECU’s top-two leading rushers, Rahjai Harris and Keaton Mitchell, were held… ECU hasn't had a 1,000-yard rusher since 2013, but the Pirates have had some talented running backs over the years. He played college football at East Carolina University He played in Super Bowl XX as a member of the New England Patriots. (Aaron Doster / AP Photo) At face value, the 2020 season was a disappointing one for the East Carolina football team. East Carolina running back Chase Hayden has entered the NCAA transfer portal, a source confirms to 247Sports. An average running back is just going to get the yardage that’s there, and that’s all they’re going to do.