WEST POINT, NY — The Daily Show on Comedy Central originates in New York City — about 50 miles and $15 in tolls from Michie Stadium, Army’s football home.
The Black Knights produced their own version of the Daily Show on Saturday and it was no laughing matter for East Carolina.
Senior quarterback Bryson Daily ran 31 times for 171 yards and five touchdowns in a 45-28 American Athletic Conference win as the No. 23 Cadets improved to 7-0 overall and 6-0 in league play.
Army had not beaten ECU in eight previous meetings, the last in 2004. The programs played annually from 1998 to 2004 within the framework of Conference USA. Army joined the American as a football-only member prior to the current season.
The passing game is not a big element of the Army offense, but Daily completed seven of 10 for 147 yards with a TD. He has not been intercepted this season.
Things were especially grim for the Pirates, who changed quarterbacks during a bye week and found themselves in a 31-0 hole early in the second half. Michigan State transfer Katin Houser threw for three scores and ran for another over the last 22 minutes.
Houser was a hero for those who took ECU and 17.5 points on one betting line.
Houser, who bided his time behind Jake Garcia for the first half of the season, completed 24 of 38 for 282 yards with one pick although the outcome was decided before he found his rhythm.
Still, the Pirates (3-4, 1-2 AAC) didn’t tuck tail with the Cadets in command and possibly generated some momentum for some winnable matchups ahead that will determine bowl eligibility.
“The second half was completely different from the first half,” said ECU coach Mike Houston on the Pirate radio network. ” … in the second half (Houser), made a ton of good throws.
“He showed some composure. Some of the mistake he made in the first half, he didn’t make in the second half.”
While Houser was making his first start for ECU, Daily made his 17th for the hosts.
“Daily is a good player,” Houston said. “That team has a shot. We played the 2019 Navy team, and they were very dynamic at quarterback. He’s different but this football team is solid top to bottom. It will take a really good team to knock them off.”
The 2019 Midshipmen went 11-2 with Malcolm Perry at quarterback. Perry figured in all six touchdowns in a 42-10 Navy win over the Pirates in Annapolis.
The Cadets had 295 yards rushing Saturday and held a 442-369 advantage in total yards.
The Pirates had the only turnover on a pick late in the first half at the Army 16 that did not lead to points for the Knights.
Houser’s scoring tosses included a 53-yard play to Chase Sowell that got ECU on the board, an 11-yarder to Anthony Smith and a play covering 12 yards to Winston Wright Jr. Houser hit Sowell for two points after the last TD.
Sowell had seven catches for 138 yards.
The Pirates have Homecoming against Temple on Saturday at 2 p.m. (ESPN+). The Owls (2-5, 1-2 AAC) won, 20-10, over Tulsa in Philadelphia on Saturday as Rutgers transfer Evan Simon threw for 297 yards.
Confession, I quit watching after the first half. Nothing has changed. Defensive backfield continues to let receivers run past them, as their eyes are elsewhere. Any team who has a decent passing game will beat the Pirates. Defense gets NO HELP from the offense, which continues to be abused by opposing ‘d’ lines, stupid penalties, and dropped passes. Kickoff return team didn’t do the offense any favors in the first half.
Houston said in pregame they saw things on film they could take advantage of; they had a good 2 weeks of practice. Not sure how he defines good but the Pirates are not good. Very undisciplined. The penalties are ridiculous. Not sure we will another game this year. Program is going backwards. Tough to be a Pirate!
The final straw will be when we loose to Temple and Mike Houston’s post game comment is Temple has a really good team.
Correct Richard –
And is he kidding about doing things better in the second half? Not that I was still watching but teams tend to play some guys further down the depth chart when the come out of the locker room with a men against boys first half. We just don’t have the kids to compete (Recruiting Mike?)
We have to start over with a new coach. Mike seems like a good dude but this program is no better than last year, and what would Houston’s record be without guys like Ahlers who I don’t believe he recruited? 1 of our 3 wins came against an awful FCS school. What do y’all think Navy will hang on us? Anyone notice the 51 they dropped on Charlotte yesterday (who destroyed us on the line of scrimmage)
I don’t think anyone realistically expected a win yesterday but 2 straight weeks of pure EMBARRASSMENT. The article talks about BOWL ELIGIBILITY??? At least that helped me with a good laugh this morning