GREENVILLE — Multiple factors came together for East Carolina in a 56-34 American Athletic Conference win at Homecoming over Temple at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on Saturday.
Interim coach Blake Harrell made the adjustment from press box to sideline with a fresh approach that seemed to energize the players.
Quarterback Katin Houser completed 16 of 29 for 269 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions in his second start for the Pirates.
ECU regained some of its big play identity with the first four scores coming on a 42-yard pass to Anth0ny Smith, a 17-reception by Jhari Patterson, a 9-yard pass play to Winston Wright Jr. and a 45-yard TD toss to Chase Sowell.
The latter connection came with eight seconds left in the half for a 27-21 advantage at the break.
“We just had to focus on the moment, focus on the day and what was at hand at that time,” Harrell said on the Pirate radio network.
Harrell, who continues to serve as defensive coordinator, spelled out ECU’s approach.
“W-I-N — what’s important now,” Harrell said. “They did a great job of playing with energy, playing with effort and you saw that in the third quarter.
“At halftime, we said, ‘What’s important now? … Let’s go play the third quarter. Go win the third quarter.'”
Rahjai Harris put the words into action with a 55-yard run on the first possession of the second half. That set up a 7-yard scoring run by Harris with 13:30 left in the third.
Houser hit Tyler Savage for a 2-point conversion and a 35-21 lead.
Marlon Gunn Jr. had a 7-yard scoring run for a 42-28 advantage with 5:01 in the third period.
“We ran the ball well,” Harrell said.
The Pirates (4-4, 2-2 AAC) had an even 500 yards of total offense while holding the Owls (2-6, 1-3) to 405 yards. ECU had 231 yards rushing, including 130 on 11 carries by Harris.
The defense contributed to the Pirates’ highest point total in an AAC game with a pick six by Ja’Marley Riddle that spanned 55 yards and provided a 49-28 lead with 4:44 in the third.
Houser’s fifth scoring pass went for 16 yards to Yannick Smith with 3:39 to go in the third.
“We were clicking on all cylinders,” said Houser, who transferred from Michigan State where he played in 11 games in 2023.
Jake Garcia, who started the first six games, did not see action as Raheim Jeter subbed in toward the conclusion.
Riddle had two interceptions as the Pirates won the takeaway battle, 3-2.
Sowell finished with four catches for 117 yards and Smith totaled 101 yards on four receptions.
ECU will host Florida Atlantic on Thursday, No. 7, at 8 p.m. on ESPN. The Pirates won, 22-7, at FAU last season as Andrew Conrad kicked five field goals. FAU (2-5, 0-3) plays South Florida at home on Friday before making the trip to Greenville.
Congratulations to the Pirates for winning a game while under the duress of Coach Huston’s firing. It seemed Coach Harrell had decent control of the in-game responsibilities thrust upon him, while having to perform as DC from the sideline, not in the press box. Overall, a solid team effort. The Pirates are still dropping passes and committing silly penalties, although they did settle down in the second half. Coaches and players seemed to keep the emotions in check fairly well, although going forward, I hope the Pirates will be a little less chippy.
With another Saturday off, hopefully the Pirates can keep the momentum going against FAU in what could be one of two winnable games remaining on the schedule. The Pirates have doubled the win total from last year, and while that isn’t an acceptable milestone, I wasn’t sure the team would win another game following the Charlotte game. A bowl game is still possible. Let’s hope the Pirates can finish strong.
I was there for the opening of the Homecoming game to go by Alpha Phi house, and see National Anthem The band, the music, the players, the pirates, the dancers, the cheerleaders. Thank you. Love, Elizabeth Anne Temple, B.M. 1992, M.M. 1994, ECU.