NCA&T (ECU’s next opponent), perfect in 2017, beats Jacksonville State 20-17 to open new season…Pirate specialists not specializing…new NCAA rule is making life easier for players, coaches…ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt addresses controversy surrounding Maryland football …All work, no play as hungry ODU looks to return to form after disappointing 2017 season…For the Redskins, a healthy Alex Smith is more important than an in-sync offense…Medvedev becomes first Russian to win Winston-Salem Open after defeating American Johnson in straight sets

Pirate Press: East Carolina Headlines

Pirates Fall In Three At Southern Miss  ecupirates.com

Greenville Daily Reflector

• Pirate specialists not specializing
• PIRATE PREVIEW: Ward renovation boosts team, future

247 Sports

• Final game-by-game predictions for ECU’s 2018 season
• Local 2020 prospect visits ECU
• Film Review: ECU commits in action (Week 2)

Around the American Athletic Conference

theamerican.org

• Saturday Recap: Houston, USF and Tulane off to 3-0 starts
• USF Rolls Past No. 17 Baylor, 3-1
• Volleyball goes 14-3 on Opening Day

Cincinnati Bearcats football 2018: The fun, the offbeat facts you might not know Cincinnati Enquirer

Career games to cameos: How every USF starting QB has fared in his debut Tampa Tribune

UCF releases depth chart for UConn opener Orlando Sentinel

Temple Offense: Inside the numbers  247 Sports

How to watch the Memphis Tigers’ 2018 season opener vs. Mercer Memphis Commercial Appeal

Guerin Emig: In Year of the Running Back, let’s not forget Shamari Brooks Tulsa World

Finishing is the watchword as Navy prepares to start 2018 season Annapolis Capital

Navy assistant focusing on football after son’s transplant Associated Press

Regional Headlines: The Carolinas and beyond

A&T, perfect in 2017, beats Jacksonville State 20-17 to open new season Greensboro News-Record

Winston Salem Journal

• NC A&T holds off Jacksonville St 20-17
• Sam Hartman’s path to Wake Forest’s starting QB has been anything but normal

The Associated Press

• Why some college sports scandals don’t draw NCAA penalties
• Evans, Wyoming beat New Mexico State 29-7
• McDonald leads Hawaii past Colorado State 43-34
• Esukpa runs for 173 yards, Rice beats Prairie View 31-28
• UMass romps to 63-15 win over Duquesne

Charlotte Observer

• Who will win area college football leagues? Why you can’t count out reigning champs
• How new NCAA rule is making life easier for players, coaches
• The hidden challenge of USC’s up-tempo offense before the games even start

Norfolk Virginian Pilot

• All work, no play as hungry ODU looks to return to form after disappointing 2017 season
• “You can see the fire in his eyes”: ODU’s Oshane Ximines determined to go out on top
• Can anybody give Lane Kiffin and FAU a run in Conference USA?
• 2018 Old Dominion football preview: Storylines, key players, projected starters and more
• True freshman Adrian Martinez named Nebraska’s starting QB
• Cavaliers tight end Evan Butts poised for big final season

Why haven’t U.Va., Hokies produced great running backs recently? Hampton Roads Daily Press

ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt addresses controversy surrounding Maryland football Washington Post