Bonesville: The Authoritative Independent Voice of East Carolina

News & Features from ECU, the AAC and Beyond

  • Home
  • News & Features
  • Recruiting
  • Photos
  • Audio
  • Roundup
  • Comments
  • Legacy Archives

• ECU 2021-22 Hoops Schedule
• ECU 2022 Baseball Schedule
• ECU 2022 Football Schedule
• Recruiting: Football • Hoops

VIEW FROM THE EAST
Houston OK with timing of bye weeks

October 18, 2019 By Al Myatt Leave a Comment

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin

The American Athletic Conference determined the bye weeks for East Carolina this football season. The Pirates are coming off their first open date as they go to Central Florida on Saturday for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

ECU also does not play on Saturday, Nov. 16. That falls between road trips to Southern Methodist on Nov. 9 and Connecticut on Nov. 23.

Pirates coach Mike Houston has no major objections as to where the bye weeks are.

“The first one and the second one fall at pretty good places on our schedule,” Houston said. “The only thing that I would do different, would be maybe have a bye before Temple. That would give us a little more time to prepare for that Thursday night game.”

ECU hasn’t played since a 27-17 home loss to Temple on Oct. 3.

“At the end of the day, it’s good to have the long break between the Temple game and UCF with us playing six games in 33 days,” Houston said.

ECU coach Mike Houston (File photo by Al Myatt)

Rain in forecast

Houston was asked earlier this week about the possibility of rain at UCF and its potential impact.

“It’s 100 percent rain here on Wednesday,” Houston said. “As long as there’s no lightning along with that and it’s not some kind of torrential downpour, we’ll practice in that rain tomorrow, which should help us prepare for any inclement weather that we have on Saturday night.

“The thing is you have to be prepared to play no matter what the elements are. We’ve always taken that stance of being prepared for the rain, the wind, whatever it is within our game plans.”

Orlando, recruiting influence

Florida is regarded as fertile ground for recruiting, which adds to the significance of the pending matchup.

“I think so,” Houston said. “We’ve got several kids from that area that are committed to us from that area right now. Having the opportunity to be down there, obviously, they’ll be hearing our name and things like that so I think it can be a positive.”

Central Florida strengths

Central Florida has lost just three games since the start of the 2017 season. Two of those setbacks have taken place at Pittsburgh and Cincinnati by a total of four points.

The Knights (4-2, 1-1 AAC) are still a very formidable foe.

“I think their strength is their team speed,” Houston said. “They’re extremely dynamic in every phase. I mentioned to my staff, they remind me a lot of what we were at JMU at the FCS level. For years, our dynamic, big-play ability — people just couldn’t match with it. That’s very much what you see on film with UCF.

“They have tremendous skill across the board on offense. They return a veteran offensive line. Three all-conference linemen return. The freshman quarterback (Dillon Gabriel) is very talented. He’s got a strong arm, very accurate, quick release. Obviously, he understands the offense very well.

“He is a freshman. but at the same time, you’re not asking him to go out there and save the world. He’s just got to operate within the parameters of the offense and distribute the ball appropriately.

“You look at defense. They’re long, athletic, can run.

“Of course, if you have that kind of speed on offense and defense, that means you’re going to have that kind of speed on special teams.

“It’s their team speed and their dynamic, big-play ability is what really stands out.”

UCF, multiple QBs

The Knights are missing McKenzie Milton at quarterback this season. Milton missed last year’s 37-10 win last year in Greenville and Daniel Mack stepped in.

With UCF coming off a 27-24 loss at Cincinnati on Oct. 4 in its last outing, Houston was thinking that the Knights might make more use of Mack. The Pirates have prepared for multiple quarterbacks.

“I think you need to,” Houston said. “D.J. Mack is a talented player. He’s from Virginia. We recruited him when he was a high school player coming out at Virginia Beach.

“He obviously was a very solid player for them down the stretch last year. He did get significant playing time against UConn in the second half, so I think we’ve got to be prepared to see him as well.”

Bryan Gagg

ECU’s own quarterback situation was affected when Reid Herring announced plans to transfer earlier the season. Bryan Gagg has moved into a back-up role.

“He’s a true freshman,” Houston said. “He was committed to the last staff when we got here so it was a pretty quick get to know him kind of deal before signing day.

“He’s a really sharp young man. He has a good personality about him. He carries himself with confidence. He has good size. He has good athletic ability. He’s improved a good bit since he got here. I think he’ll improve a good bit more as the years go on as a player. He is still just a freshman.”

Midseason evaluation

The Pirates are at the midpoint of the 2019 regular season.

“You’re sitting here 3-3 so, big picture-wise, I think it’s a solid start,” Houston said. “Do you wish you were 6-0? Absolutely. We’ve had an opportunity to be 6-0 several times over the years. You always want to start out like that. You’re not 0-6 either so I think you’ve had a solid start.

“I think when you look deeper, which is what you really have to do this first year, you’ve got to look at how your team is progressing. If you take the starting reference point being the N.C. State game (34-6 loss) and you track us. Certainly, the Navy game (42-10 loss) is one that I’m extremely disappointed in for a variety of reasons.

“Aside from that game, I feel like you can look at our team and we have improved each week out. I think the roster is improving individually and I think we’re improving as a team collectively.

“You’re not talking about one phase. You’re talking about all three phases. I think if you take an even further step back and look at the program, we’re making very solid forward steps with the program.

“I’m evaluating that in all areas, whether it be our current roster, facilities, recruiting, everything within the athletic department as it relates to football, resources available to student-athletes, nutrition, academic support, all of those things. I think we’re taking solid steps forward.”

What Houston wants to see

Houston was asked what he wants to see from his team on Saturday night.

“I’d say I want to see us go in there and compete at a very high level,” Houston said. “When I say that, it’s a very broad statement, but you can get caught up in whatever the predictions are, the point spreads or all that stuff. You can throw that stuff out the window. We need to go in there and we need to compete down after down.

“There are certain things we’ve got to do in order to have a chance to win. Being able to handle their pace on offense and function at a high level defensively is going to be very important. We’re obviously going to have to tackle very well in the open field. We’ll have to do the best that we can to prevent the big plays. They’re going to make some big plays. They’ve got too much ability and talent not to. We’ve got to get them on the ground, try not to give up the home run ball and make them snap it again.

“Hopefully, we can create enough adversity and put them under enough duress to hopefully — they make a mistake and turn the ball over, derail a drive, something like that. I think that’s really the key on defense.

“Offensively, we’ve got to do a great job of ball security. We’ve got to be really aggressive and attack. We’ve got to be able to drive the football offensively. Stay on the field, whether it’s running the ball or throwing the ball.

“I think special teams will be important. They’ve been outstanding on special teams this year. They’ve got a punt return for a touchdown. They’ve obviously been very good on the coverage teams. At the same time, one of the critical plays in the Pittsburgh game was a blocked punt return for a touchdown. So winning the special teams phase is important for us.

“But i think the biggest thing is just being able to go into that environment, which it’s a tough environment to play in against what is arguably the most talented team in our league and certainly the most dominant team in our league over the past two-and-a-half years and go in there and go toe-to-toe with them. I think it will be another measuring stick for our program.”

ECU 2019 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
HOUSTON OK WITH TIMING OF BYE WEEKS
PIRATES MAKING WAVES IN THE POOL
DOOLEY & CO. WILL BE FIGHTING FOR RESPECT
HOUSTON PRESSING FOR BETTER EXECUTION
PIRATES UNDERGO VIDEO REVIEW
PIRATES NOT OUT OF BOWL PICTURE YET
CRUMP BRINGS “SHUT-DOWN CORNER” SKILLS TO ECU
HERRING FOLLOWS TESTED PATH TO OPPORTUNITY

Related

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin

Filed Under: News & Features

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent News & Features

VIEW FROM THE EAST
Pirates grind to success

Baseball News
ECU edges Campbell, 7-6

Baseball News
Pirates clinch AAC crown

Baseball News
ECU captures series, boosts conference lead

Baseball News
Pirates take series opener with Bulls

ECU Recruiting News
Pirates aim high for interior line talent

VIEW FROM THE EAST
Pirates prevail at less than best

Baseball News
Pirates top Duke, 5-4

Baseball News
Pirates sweep series with 15-1 route

Baseball News
Pirates take series, boost league lead

More News & Features

ECU Schedules

  • ECU 2021 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2020-21 Basketball Schedule
  • ECU 2021 Baseball Schedule

ECU Recruiting

  • Football Recruiting Class of 2021
  • Football Recruiting Class of 2020
  • Football Recruiting Class of 2019
  • Football Recruiting Class of 2018
  • Football Recruiting Class of 2017
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2021-22
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2020-21
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2019-20
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2018-19
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2017-18
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2016-17
Tweets by bonesville

Past Football Schedules

  • ECU 2020 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2019 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2018 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2017 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2016 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2015 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2014 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2013 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2012 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2011 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2010 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2009 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2008 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2007 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2006 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2005 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2004 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2003 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2002 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2001 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2000 Football Schedule
  • Historical Schedules

Past Basketball Schedules

  • ECU 2019-20 Basketball Schedule
  • ECU 2018-19 Basketball Schedule
  • ECU 2017-18 Basketball Schedule
  • ECU 2016-17 Basketball Schedule
  • ECU 2000-2015 Basketball Archives

Past Baseball Schedules

  • ECU 2020 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2019 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2018 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2017 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2016 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2015 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2001-2014 Baseball Archives

Recruiting Class Profiles

ECU Recruiting News
Pirates aim high for interior line talent

ECU Recruiting News
Well stocked Pirates enter fray for O-linemen

ECU Recruiting News
ECU faces uphill battle in hunt for tight ends

ECU Recruiting News
Pirates cast wide net for wide receivers

ECU Recruiting News
Loaded Pirates still courting running backs

ECU Recruiting News
ECU targets quarterbacks of the future

AAC Football Recruiting News
Transfer portal reshaping AAC football programs

Class of 2022 Defensive Report Card
ECU’s former weak link becoming big strength (updated)

Class of 2022 Offensive Report Card
Help is on the way for blocking corps (update 3)

American Athletic Conference Recruiting
Bearcats lead AAC’s early signing push

Class of 2022 In-depth Analysis
Surprises, depth highlight early recruiting haul

VIEW FROM THE EAST
‘What a difference a year makes’

Football Recruiting Report
Prolific receiver Webb may enroll early

Football Recruiting Report
Another gifted running back headed to ECU

Football Recruiting Report
ECU wins pledge from hotly recruited RB Gunn

Football Recruiting Report
Coveted lineman Sacra may enroll early

Football Recruiting Report
Pirates lure a star from DB factory

VIEW FROM THE EAST
Harrell on quest for unanimous effort

Football Recruiting Report
West Craven star Mims sticking close to home

VIEW FROM THE EAST
Pirates ready for preseason camp

Football Recruiting Report
Lineman built his future during COVID layoff

Football Recruiting Report
Norcross star on track for early enrollment

VIEW FROM THE EAST
Pirates pulling from portal

Football Recruiting Report
Big man Allen tapping into ‘nasty side’

Football Recruiting Report
ECU gets one of NC’s top D-line prospects

Recent Web Roundups

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Thursday, May 19, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Wednesday, May 18, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Monday, May 16, 2022

Writer Archives

  • Bonesville Staff
  • Brian Bailey
  • Sammy Batten
  • Bethany Bradsher
  • Brett Friedlander
  • Al Myatt
  • NFF
  • Greg Vacek
  • Danny Whitford

Recent Web Roundups

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Thursday, May 19, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Wednesday, May 18, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Monday, May 16, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Sunday, May 15, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Saturday May 14, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Friday, May 13, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Wednesday, May 11, 2022

More Web Roundups

Copyright © 2022 Bonesville.net · Website by Seaport Webworks. · Log in · Privacy Policy