GREENVILLE — East Carolina reeled in a whopper of a season-opening victory over Norfolk State on Saturday night with what several players referred to as a goldfish mentality.
The phenomenon is a sort of selective amnesia that includes an oblivious regard for a 2-10 record in 2023.
With calculated additions from the transfer portal and the retention of a well-above average defensive front, the Pirates unveiled some impressive handiwork from new offensive coordinator John David Blake from Ole Miss.
ECU’s new up-tempo offense was cleared for takeoff shortly after 6 p.m. under sunny skies at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
The Pirates were in command before the sun set at 7:43 p.m. and ultimately overwhelmed Football Championship Subdivision entry Norfolk State, 42-3.
The Spartans were coming off a national television appearance in Atlanta against Florida A&M that concluded with a 24-23 loss.
NSU (0-2) took a brief 3-0 lead on a 39-field goal by Grandin Wilcox with 8:17 left in the first quarter, but the hosts quickly assumed ownership of the scoreboard as transfer quarterback Jake Garcia directed a 7-play drive that finished with a 22-yard scoring pass play to tight end Casey Kelly, whose resume includes stops at Ole Miss and Oregon.
The first scoring drive of the season took just 1:37 to cover 45 yards.
ECU’s ensuing scoring possession was even faster — 76 yards in four plays in 1:03 — with Javious Bond going the last 14 yards with 3:47 left in the first quarter for a 14-3 advantage.
ECU’s defense, which ranked 37th nationally in points allowed last season, had a 40-yard pick six by Gavin Gibson (Maryland transfer) with 13:35 to go in the half.
Garcia sandwiched scoring tosses around halftime to Desirrio Riles for 3 yards and Anthony Smith (N.C. State transfer) for 18 yards to extend the lead to 35-3.
Garcia dropped a heave into Riles’ hands for a 32-yard score with 10:12 left in the game.
For those among a crowd of 36,467 who were feeling too giddy with the results of ECU’s roster makeover, there were six turnovers against a club with 22 fewer scholarships to consider.
The fact that the defense managed to keep the Spartans out of the end zone despite six extra possessions, led Coach Mike Houston to surmise something about this year’s team’s potential.
“It means we can be pretty good,” he said.
ECU (1-0) will look to take step two in the fulfillment process at Old Dominion (0-1) on Saturday at 6 p.m.
Garcia completed 23 of 36 for 308 yards with four TDs and three picks. The Pirates subbed in Michigan State transfer Katin Houser late and connected on all three of his pass attempts for 50 yards.
Garcia, who started his college career at Miami, left the Hurricanes after a coaching change but did not see the field at Missouri. He has applied the goldfish mentality to last season and is looking for better things at ECU.
“We’re going to be working to stack 1-0 weeks,” he said. “It’s going to be standing room only here at the end of the season.”
ECU had a 506-114 lead in total yards.
The Pirates limited the Spartans to 43 rushing yards on 45 attempts. Norfolk State managed just one conversion on 18 third downs.
“Our goal is 70 percent on third down and that’s way above 70 percent,” said linebacker Kye Barker, who was in on a team high eight tackles, including two for losses. “Wins are hard to come by. It’s a great feeling. It’s good for the team and the fans and the people in Greenville to see that and understand this is what it’s going to be like from now on.”
Our young men looked good last night, but remember last years team looked good against GW. ODU should give a real measure of our improvement; ODU should have beat Chicken of Carolina in Columbia if not for those two fumbles inside their own 10 yard line. Five turnover need to be corrected; that will lead to a defeat against ODU who is appearing to be a tougher opponent than it did on paper 24 hrs. ago . GO PIRATES ARRGH.
Overall, I give the Pirates an A, but only because of the efforts of the defense. Far too many turnovers. The defense, most likely, WILL NOT be able to overcome that type of performance by the Pirate offense going forward. NS was clearly overmatched against the Pirates. That’s not going to happen again.
Having said that, I believe interceptions are going to be a part of the future for the Pirates. This Garcia has no problem pulling the trigger, most probably encouraged by JDB. You can’t operate an offense designed to put maximum pressure on the defense without some risk. The accuracy must improve, and this week’s practices will provide a hint as to Garcia’s ability to do that. For a kid who didn’t play last year, and won the job after what has been reported as a very spirited competition, JG gets a passing grade.
If the Pirate defense proves to be what BH/MH think it is, Pirate Nation could be in for a fun season.