Running back Hussein Howe was in no mood for moral victories in the moments after his East Carolina teammate Darius Pinnix was stopped inches short of the goal line on the final play of Saturday’s 31-24 overtime loss to Tulane.
“It’s still an ‘L’ in the win-lose column,” a dejected Howe said. “They all hurt.”
The fact is that this one did one did hurt more than the other seven Ls taken by the Pirates this season because it was the first one in which they stood a realistic chance at winning.
But let’s face it. Other than aesthetics, how much difference is there between 2-8 and 3-7?
None really.
At this point, the actual outcome of the games no longer mean as much as the effort that is given in them, the growth that is shown and the general direction in which the program is headed.
Those, after all, are some of the main factors athletic director Jeff Compher will likely use to decide whether or not to bring back Scottie Montgomery for a third season as ECU’s coach.
So instead of evaluating Saturday’s game in the traditional manner — by the disappointing numbers on the scoreboard — let’s take a look at it in a more meaningful manner.
Starting with effort.
It’s only human nature to let frustration get the best of us and think about giving up when things go bad. That’s when a season can really get ugly, the way it did for Central Florida when it barely went through the motions in its final few games on the way to an 0-12 finish in 2015.
To ECU’s credit, that hasn’t happened.
Instead of raising the white flag, the Pirates have honored the spirit of “No Quarter” and continued to battle.
Instead of giving up and losing by an embarrassingly large number after falling behind 21-0 in the first quarter at Houston two weeks ago, they played the Cougars to a virtual standoff through the final three periods.
And Saturday, instead of resigning themselves to yet another loss when trailing by 10 with just over 13 minutes remaining, they rallied to tie the game, scoring a touchdown with just 36 seconds left in regulation.
Sure, they wasted a chance to win the game by not executing on a fourth-and-short play deep in Tulane territory, a failure that has been a recurring problem throughout the season. But at least the effort was there.
As for growth, there was plenty on both sides of the ball, starting with a defense that — despite getting burned for another long touchdown and 189 yards on the ground by the Green Wave’s Dontrell Hilliard — created two fourth quarter turnovers to fuel the ECU comeback.
Freshman linebacker Aaron Ramseur had one of those big plays, an interception, and has been a bright spot in an otherwise bleak season since breaking into the starting lineup against Temple on Oct. 7.
On offense, sophomore Howe gave out a breakout performance by rushing for 108 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries — an average of 7.7 yards per run — while catching five passes out of the backfield for 36 more yards.
Another sophomore, Deondre Farrier, came up big with the touchdown catch that sent the game into overtime.
They are only a few of the young players, along with offensive lineman John Spellacy, that have the potential to be the foundation on which they Pirates can rebuild.
That brings us to the direction of the program, by far the most important piece to the puzzle that will determine the future of both Montgomery and the program.
There are, in fact, some tangible signs that the three-year decline that began before former coach Ruffin McNeill’s firing has finally bottomed out and the long climb back to respectability has begun.
The aforementioned defensive improvement in two of the past three games and the emergence of young players with multiple years of eligibility remaining are among them.
So is Montgomery’s willingness to listen to others, especially those with more experience than himself — as witnessed by the hiring of veteran John Gutekunst as a “defensive analyst.”
Then there’s the issue of a highly-rated incoming recruiting class, highlighted by potential “franchise” quarterback Holton Ahlers, and how many of those incoming freshman will remain solid in their commitment to ECU if a coaching change is made.
For all those positives, however, there are still too many unresolved problems to ignore, including but not limited to that propensity for giving up catastrophic plays. There are enough of those recurring deficiencies that the thought retaining Montgomery and his current staff might seem, at least to some, like banging your head against a wall over and over again in hopes that it won’t hurt as much the next time you do it.
Of all the arguments against giving Montgomery at least one more season to turn things around is his record. He’s just 5-17 in his two years, 2-12 in conference play, a mark made even more unsightly by losses to an FCS team and perennial doormat Tulane.
With two more games left to play, there is still time to improve the aesthetics of the Pirates’ bleak situation.
While the outcomes of those games may or may not affect the big-picture decision Compher will have to make in the upcoming weeks — if he hasn’t made it already — at least one more “W” in the win-loss column sure would feel a lot better heading into the offseason than the painful alternative.
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I don’t see it. I know Ruff was not winning as much as we would’ve liked, but the guy won 5 games with a 3rd string qb and a receiver his final year. Compared to this guy who is quite simply in over his head as indicated here by having to hire help midway through the season. If the poorly run administration wants to continue wirh empty seats and a decline of support from it’s core fan base keep Montgomery. If they want a rebirth similar to what happened after the John Thompson experience when Skip Holtz was hired then let Montgomery go after the Cinci. game should they lose yet again. On the other hand, I’m not sure our current A.D. or B.O.T has the connection with core Pirate fans to understand the need for a rebirth of passion that is missing, or the big picture ideas that Terry Holland had when he reached out to a star in the making in Skip Holtz. Who had been all but forgotten at South Carolina.
Very well said. When you lose hope, you have lost it all. The AD and B.O.T. do not seem to understand how important it is to make the right hire. Fans have to believe in the coach. When they don’t, they don’t show up at games and stop paying for season tickets or Pirate club memberships.It is not going to be long, if not already, that local businesses are going to see a lot of lost business.
I mostly agree with this mildly optimistic yet realistic assessment; the biggest overall positive Sat. night was the team’s willingness to keep fighting. I was hoping Coach Mo would go for 2 after the last minute TD. In effect, you’re already in OT at that point anyway, with so little time remaining, though not going for the conversion was defensible. Coach doesn’t do himself any favors, however, when he brings in Sirk after a long drive, as he did for that attempted pass to the TE. At the point, the D is going to clog the box because Sirk is well known to run, and if he passes (as he did), he’s cold off the bench, so you can’t count on his accuracy. Also, Sirk is done re eligibility; Coach just has to turn that page. Next up is a mediocre Cinci at home; will the Pirates keep competing, and this time close the deal? It’s in them, and they need to do it, if for no other reason than to lessen some of the misery from the past couple of seasons.
JMU coach would be a good person to look at. If not him, go after a coach from a solid winning program that consistently wins… We need a home run in the leadership dept. Coach Mo, nice guy maybe, good position coach maybe….. head coach. I just don’t see it. JuCo is not the way to build a program. Insulting players in saying we need to recruit better, we don’t have enough team speed, etc. who is gonna suit up and play for a guy that points blame at his players. Ruff understood program – there is no quick fix. Ultimately, I’ve lost interest and the loses don’t hurt anymore. Apathy from a guy who used to really love Pirates football. Don’t enjoy watching anymore. Can’t get a yard against a Tulane team? Sad state of affairs in my opinion. Need some real change. Until then, good luck. Empty seats don’t sell hotdogs. $$$ will become a real issue soon.
I agree that the JMU coach or someone like him would probably make a great hire. There are several lower division coaches that are successful and would be a good fit for ECU. Schools like Troy, Arkansas State, Middle Tennessee have good solid programs. And frankly, I would be tickled to see a Skip Holtz or Steve Logan return. I hate saying it, but I never have understood why our AD made a quick decision on Scotty Montgomery. I wish I could ask him.
I believe its numerous of coaches with HC experience that will love to be a pirate. JMU or maybe NC A&T Broadway would be some
good names. I would even like to see Tenn, Butch Jones coaching again in Purple & Gold.
Its sad that the AD doesn’t notice how low ECU really are. I remember ECU seniors interviewing Coach Holtz before he was hire. Thats what a great AD does (TERRY). Coach Mo is a good sales person but I don’t like the relationship he has with his players. He spends more time fussing at the Refs then coaching. He can talk to the media about positive environment in the locker room. I know thats not true at all because who wants to lose. Those players are clueless and hurt. Coach Mo always blames the players and coaches. Hmmmm you hired those coaches but its base on the HC.
I totally feel sorry for those players more then anything.
Good article. Love the JMU suggestion too. Two years without defense, I’m not sure it can get worse on that side of the ball. I still don’t see a DE on the roster that has proven he can be an average Division 1 player. No pass rush and no contain.
Offense has shown signs of life, but let’s face it, Tulane is not the Steel Curtain. Finances aside, have we really made any progress in the past two years to justify a promising outlook for year 3 & beyond ?
After UCF was as low as i’ve felt as a Pirate, the team flat out quit that night. The last three games have been better, and there’s been much more fight on display. That doesn’t hide the fact that the last two years have been filled with unacceptable moments, of which losing at home to Tulane is only the most recent.
Mo shouldn’t get a third year. The problem is, he’s not the problem.
How do you cut a guy after two seasons? How many of the starters are “his guys”?? I really don’t know, and am open to being educated on it, but I’d think probably close to 0 on last year’s edition, maybe a decent number on this year’s, but how many of those are first year starters?? Even putting aside the controversial Ruff axing (which I was actually OK with), which, as someone else has already said, makes it almost politically impossible to cut Mo loose now, I’d still say you have to give him at least one more year. …but man, he sure as heck be out there beating the bushes for defensive stoppers who can step right into it next year; I think the o is definitely headed the right way.
They were his guys the moment he accepted the job. It’s his job to “coach them up”. I think he just has too little experience for such a high level position. He was unproven coming in and it is showing now.
You have a point, but the only way I can see changing my mind is if they just flat-out fail to compete the last two games. It seems that there are stats out there these days for everything. …would love to know how many head coaches at the FCS or FBS level have been fired after two seasons (if any; next year would be a different kettle of fish, undoubtedly.)
Seriously? Compher, can’t fire this guy even if he wanted to after the Ruff fiasco. He’s praying he turns it around in season 3, there’s no decision to make….
You right but I rather admit mistake now then another year from now. We are losing so much money and going get worse next year.