Houston sees improvement in heat…First Saturday: “We Got Better Today”…Pirates have plenty of reps to go around for loaded QB room…Florida 2021 3-Star SI All-American Candidate QB Walter Simmons III Chooses East Carolina Over Illinois…UNCW alumni support ECU in fight to save swim and dive program …AAC planning to keep 8-game conference schedule, plus nonconference games…Something to consider – no more home-game hotel rooms for college football teams…Ken Niumatalolo considering ‘creative coaching’ ideas as Navy football preseason practices begin…Herd QB Wells eager to earn teammates’ respect…Mack Brown’s cleverly constructed coaching staff keys UNC football recruiting surge …Former WSSU football coach challenges his firing; ‘I just want my name back’…President of Joe Gibbs Racing says NASCAR cancellation ‘would have devastated the industry’…Canes use aggressive start, strong penalty killing to top Rangers in series opener…Marlins to return from COVID-19 quarantine for four games against Orioles beginning Tuesday at Camden Yards…Gregg Popovich defends standing during anthem: ‘Everybody has to make a personal decision’…Christian Pulisic scores in FA Cup final, but Chelsea falls to Arsenal

Pirate Press: ECU Headlines

Bonesville.net

• VIEW FROM THE EAST
  Houston sees improvement in heat
• Preseason Camp Audio Feature
  Mike Houston Audio
• Special Audio Feature
  Jon Gilbert Audio

First Saturday: “We Got Better Today” Rivals

Florida 2021 3-Star SI All-American Candidate QB Walter Simmons III Chooses East Carolina Over Illinois Sports Illustrated

247 Sports

• Pirates have plenty of reps to go around for loaded QB room
• What Mike Houston said following Day 2 of ECU’s preseason camp
• Three-star QB Walter Simmons III commits to ECU
• Gilbert: Pirates comfortable staying with 10 games, for now

UNCW alumni support ECU in fight to save swim and dive program Wilmington Star-News

SATURDAY WEB NOTES: Second football practice was a hot one; Players rotating fields Greenville Daily Reflector (sub req’d)

Around the American Athletic Conference

247 Sports

• UCF sends out official offers to commits, top targets
• What an official offer from USF looks like for the 2021 class
• New USF offensive line offer from the Peach State

Source: AAC planning to keep 8-game conference schedule, plus nonconference games Dallas Morning News

Tulsa World

• Bill Haisten: Something to consider – no more home-game hotel rooms for college football teams
• TU football: Golden Hurricane adds running back transfer from Missouri

Annapolis Capital

• Ken Niumatalolo considering ‘creative coaching’ ideas as Navy football preseason practices begin
• Medical professionals and discipline are helping Navy athletics build a ‘bubble’ for fall sports

Regional Headlines: The Carolinas and beyond

Mack Brown’s cleverly constructed coaching staff keys UNC football recruiting surge Fayetteville Observer

Former WSSU football coach challenges his firing; ‘I just want my name back’ Winston Salem Journal

Column: College football should be postponed. But if it’s played here’s what ODU’s schedule could look like. Norfolk Virginian Pilot

Huntington Herald-Dispatch

• Conference USA hurt by ACC scheduling decision
• Herd QB Wells eager to earn teammates’ respect
• Chuck Landon: MU fans worried about losing ‘The Union’

CFN Conference USA Preview 2020: 5 Things That Matter. Top Players, Coaches, Games, Thoughts College Football News

Five questions South Carolina’s defense must answer during preseason practice  Columbia The State

UMass remains committed to building a winning FBS football program Boston Herald

The Associated Press

• SEC contenders must navigate 10 games versus league foes
• Reports: Text to Pac-12 players encourages possible opt-out
• La-Lafayette coach, ex-Miss. St. player Looney dead at 31
• Settlement reached in death of football player in Kansas
• Big Ten Freshman of Year Cockburn returning to Illinois
• Arkansas sharpshooter Joe returning for junior season
• Gonzaga’s Joel Ayayi to return for junior season
• Illinois star Ayo Dosunmu to return for junior season