Countdown to Justin Hardy: Another Day at the Office

He makes it look easy, effortless even.

Justin Hardy hasn't really dominated any one game this season--until today. He's been important, but he hasn't been the only weapon on the ECU Pirates' high-powered offense. Hardy took over today, however, reminding that he's the Pirates' main weapon. Reigning in 8 catches for 120 and 3 TDs, he also continued his march toward breaking the FBS all-time reception record held by Oklahoma’s Ryan Broyles (346).  He's just 46 receptions away.

Justin Hardy Watch: ECU vs Virginia Tech

Coming off a tough loss to the +South Carolina Gamecocks, the ECU Pirates faced another tough road challenge in Blacksburg against +Virginia Tech.   This time, Justin Hardy matched up against a top-rate secondary led by sophomore standout Kendall Fuller. The "Man with the Golden Gloves" only showed up for the 1st half, registering 4 receptions for 47 yards.  The Pirates exploded in the 1st quarter, putting up 21 on big plays through the air.  Hardy was having a solid half, even against the tough corner, but the "Man with Golden Gloves,"disappeared into the locker room at half-time and didn't return.  Justin Hardy came back, but he had exchanged his gold gloves for a pair of purple and black. There seemed to be some psychological effect with this change as the Pirates offense simply fell asleep.  Usually one would think that Hardy disappeared, but this was really more a result of poor quarterback play and offensive play calling.  The Pirate quarterback finished 23/47, missing Hardy twice in the second half.  Carden rediscovered his mojo in a last minute drive to win to end a 3 quarter scoring drought.

The Man with the Golden Gloves: Justin Hardy

C3 is always working hard to scout talent that we believe would help the Carolina Panthers in the future.  Often this talent is in our own backyard.  It's the reason we started the "Backyard Ballers" series last season. This season, C3 has gone further by launching the official "C3 Countdown 2 Justin Hardy" campaign, where hope to bring Freak Magic, aka "the Man with the Golden Gloves," to the Queen City.  Adding Hardy to the Panthers would compliment the gigantic Kelvin Benjamin and give Cam a new weapon in a clearly unsolidified receiving core.

Backyard Baller: ECU's Justin Hardy

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Panther Nation give a warm welcome for C3's newest contributor, Gerin Honeycutt, a journalism major from East Carolina University.  Most important, however, this up and coming sports journalist is one of us, a die hard Panther fan!  Give it up for the newest member of the Crew and leave a comment for his first story! 

Don’t beat yourself up Panther fans, your next great wide receiver could be right under your nose. Well, 250 miles east under your nose at East Carolina University. Greenville, North Carolina is where NFL recruiters have discovered what two years ago would have been considered a “diamond in the rough.” Enter current ECU Wide Receiver/Punt Returner Justin Hardy. After a jaw dropping sixty-four reception, 658 yard, six touchdown and Conference USA All-Freshman team campaign, Hardy has done nothing but amass two seasons of inspired offensive production—202   receptions and 2,389 yards, averaging over a first down every time he catches the ball and let’s not forget those nineteen touchdowns. Consistent play like this has elevated the 6’1 190 lb Hardy off the list of NFL possible gems and onto a lot of NFL recruiter’s top wide receiver’s board for the 2015 draft.