Mike Houston expects a tougher challenge in week two. The Pirates took care of business in the season opener on Saturday night with a 42-3 win over Norfolk State. ECU visits Old Dominion (0-1) on Saturday for a 6 p.m. kickoff (ESPN+). The Pirates are favored by 2.5 points. Some optimism was created in the first game as Jake Garcis passed for 308 yards and four touchdowns. … [Read more...]
Inside Game Day: Story & ImagesForget ’23, Pirates take off with revamped attack
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 … [Read more...]
VIEW FROM THE EASTChange characterizes 2024 ECU football
Mike Houston knew change was needed after a 2-10 season in 2023 and the East Carolina football coach got busy at the outset of the offseason. His sixth season at ECU starts Saturday at home against Norfolk State at 6 p.m. and some of the changes will be readily apparent. That includes an up-tempo offense brought from Ole Miss by new coordinator John David Baker and a … [Read more...]
VIEW FROM THE EASTPirates give nod to Jake Garcia
Jake Garcia is no relation to Mason Garcia although he will start the season at quarterback for East Carolina as Mason Garcia did for the Pirates in 2023. After seasons as an apprentice to Holton Ahlers, Mason Garcia struggled as the linchpin in the ECU offense and his replacement, Alex Flinn, was not the answer. The 2-10 season a year ago was a learning experience for … [Read more...]
VIEW FROM THE EASTPirates come out at night
Practice times have varied for East Carolina during preseason. The Pirates practiced under the lights at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on Wednesday night, but coach Mike Houston us taking a hard look at morning practices during the 2024 season. An advantage of morning practices on the heavy days — Tuesdays and Wednesdays — the season is that it would allow more recovery time before … [Read more...]