They've had weeks of extra practice time to get a head start on next season at a time their equipment would normally be stored until spring.
But for the Pirate players, December's rewards are yet to come. They've endured daily practice sessions of more than two hours each coupled with final exams. Now they're more anxious than ever to sink their teeth into the event which inspired all the preparation - the Mobile Alabama Bowl on Dec. 22.
"Everybody is tired and ready to go out and see new faces, different colored jerseys," said running back Leonard Henry. "We can't wait to get on down to Alabama and just enjoy this thing. Because you can't enjoy it when you're around here with all of the finals."
Starting Tuesday, the Pirates will spend their practice time installing a game plan for Texas Christian, their bowl game opponent.
"This week we've got to get condensed and intense and ready to play the game," ECU coach Steve Logan said. "Starting tomorrow, it will be very intense. The practice will be very sharp."
The Horned Frogs' greatest threat comes from running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who has rushed for 1,850 yards this season to become the leading ball carrier in the nation. TCU's offense is built primarily around the rush and has generated an average of 240 rushing yards and 135 passing yards per game this year.
"The kid can outrun anyone on the field," Logan said of Tomlinson. "These guys are going to run the ball, period."
The Pirates' offense will finally regain a weapon that they lost almost two months ago - placekicker Kevin Miller. Miller, who pulled a quadriceps muscle in the Oct. 23 game against Tulane, has not kicked for ECU since then. He was 11-of-15 on field goal attempts early in the season.
Since ending their season with an emotional 23-6 win over N.C. State on Nov. 20, the East Carolina squad has been peppered with accolades.
The bowl invitation was followed by 11 players being named to the All-Conference USA squad. East Carolina was chosen as the recipient of the Disney Wide World of Sports Spirit Award for their resilience after the devastating flood that Hurricane Floyd brought to Greenville in September.
Punter Andrew Bayes, who leads the nation in yards per punt, has made several lists as one of the nation's best at his position. He was named Monday to The Associated Press' All-America second team.
Defensive coordinator Tim Rose is one of five finalists for the Broyles Award, presented annually to college football's top assistant coach.
Bowl games are often perceived as perks where the outcome is less significant than the event itself. But the Pirates have plenty of incentive to work for a victory next week, Logan said. East Carolina, ranked No. 20 in the final regular season Associated Press poll, will probably need to beat Texas Christian to retain a national ranking in the final polls and have a chance of entering the 2000 season in the Top 25.
The bowl game marks the first meeting between ECU and TCU, but it will give the Horned Frogs -- who will join Conference USA in the fall of 2001 -- a taste of things to come. TCU was 7-4 overall and 5-2 in the Western Athletic Conference this year.
