Courtesy of East Carolina SID Tom McClellan at ECU, by way of Jim Modlin……
Junior will make first career start against Appalachian State Saturday
RIO JOHNSON NAMED STARTING QUARTERBACK FOR ECU OPENER
GREENVILLE, N.C. – East Carolina junior Rio Johnson has been tabbed as the Pirates’
starting quarterback according to an announcement made by head coach Ruffin McNeill during
his weekly press conference Monday afternoon.
“All four of the players were within percentage points of each other,” McNeill said.
“The last few days saw Rio Johnson step forward based on the way he managed the
team, but not by much. It just came to the point where we had to get one guy ready to
play this weekend.”
A native of Atlanta, Ga., Johnson played in four games as a sophomore behind
record-setting performer Dominique Davis in 2011, completing 20-of-29 passes for 157
yards and suffering one interception.
McNeill indicated that sophomore Shane Carden, who Johnson edged out during the
final days of the competitive position battle, will serve as the top backup heading
into the opener.
East Carolina will return to the Cliff Moore Practice Complex Tuesday at 4 p.m. to
continue its preparation efforts for Saturday’s contest against Appalachian State.