ECU offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley gets ready for the start of the Pirates' matchup with Southern Miss. [Photo: Al Myatt]
ECU quarterback Shane Carden looks downfield to pass. [Photo: Al Myatt]
ECU's defense had its back to the wall early in the Conference USA opener. [Photo: Al Myatt]
Shane Carden looks to throw on the run against the Golden Eagles. [Photo: Al Myatt]
Running back Reggie Bullock takes a handoff for the Pirates. [Photo: Al Myatt]
The ECU defense kept the Golden Eagles penned up after a punt was downed at the USM two-yard line. [Photo: Al Myatt]
ECU QB Shane Carden admired former USM and NFL star Brett Favre as a youth. There is a resemblance. [Photo: Al Myatt]
Brett Favre's ECU double, Shane Carden. [Photo: Al Myatt]
ECU head coach Ruffin McNeill saw the momentum turn on the Momentum Turf at M.M. Roberts Stadium. [Photo: Al Myatt]
ECU punter Trent Tignor keeps his legs limber on the sideline bike. [Photo: Al Myatt]
ECU coaches John Wiley and Ruffin McNeill have a sideline session with the linebackers. [Photo: Al Myatt]
Coach Kirk Doll talks to the ECU running backs. [Photo: Al Myatt]
Coach Donnie Kirkpatrick tells the Pirate receivers there were too many dropped passes in the first half. [Photo: Al Myatt]
Mississippi native Adonis Armstrong (3) wraps up on a tackle for the Pirates. [Photo: Al Myatt]
ECU athletic director Terry Holland kept an eye on the proceedings. [Photo: Al Myatt]
ECU placekicker Warren Harvey hits a 54-year field goal to close the first half. [Photo: Al Myatt]