As Western Carolina prepares to travel East for the season opener at 6 p.m. on Saturday night, East Carolina, in a figurative sense, is heading West. The Pirates are expanding their base beyond the standard concept of their region East of I-95, a move that may enhance their appeal to possible Big 12 Conference expansion. If you think the final football practice at Rocky … [Read more...]
View from the East: Pirates attain ‘game ready’ fitness
Going into his first season as East Carolina's head football coach, Scottie Montgomery has gained some perspective on what the Pirates have accomplished since opening preseason training camp Aug. 4. "We think that we've put together a pretty good football team," Montgomery said. "We know that we've developed and know that we have some playmakers, whether it be on offense or … [Read more...]
View from the East: Big 12 is dream land for ECU
As soap operas go, the Big 12 expansion saga is pretty good stuff. It certainly has national implications and some fortunate schools could see their athletic revenue increase by something like $30 million annually. Not only are high stakes involved, there have been story lines emerging on a regular basis since the spring. The possibility of membership for East Carolina … [Read more...]
View from the East: Can Cougars conquer AAC and beyond?
Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo said at the American Athletic Conference football media days in Newport, RI, that his interest in other AAC teams changed significantly as the Midshipmen made the transition from longtime independents in 2015. Niumatalolo won't have to wait long for a matchup with significant rooting consequences for the AAC as preseason league favorite Houston … [Read more...]
View from the East: Eight seconds sent Nelson to ECU
Ruffin McNeill's influence likely will continue on East Carolina football through transfer quarterback Philip Nelson. McNeill allowed Nelson to join the Pirates from Rutgers after he was dismissed by the Scarlet Knights in May of 2014 following a bar fight in Minnesota in which a patron, a former college football linebacker, was seriously injured. Those involved in the … [Read more...]