At the outset of the current pandemic, it was not generally expected to be a factor for the duration that it has for college sports. East Carolina athletic director Jon Gilbert has been wrestling with COVID-19-related issues for almost seven months. The coronavirus has severely impacted football attendance and greatly reduced income from ECU's flagship sport. "This is not … [Read more...]
Inside Game DayAnother promising start, another licking
ATLANTA (Via ESPNU) — East Carolina's special teams produced a pair of touchdowns in a comeback bid on Saturday before Georgia State closed out a 49-29 nonconference win. For the second straight week, the Pirates (0-2) got the opening score, this time on a 28-yard pick six by Warren Saba on the Panthers' first snap. But, as in a 51-28 season-opening loss to Central … [Read more...]
VIEW FROM THE EASTKnow the foe: Panthers a leftover from Compher
For those among Pirate Nation who might be asking why East Carolina is going on the road to play Georgia State on Saturday at noon (ESPNU), the short answer is Jeff Compher. Before ECU negotiated a buyout of Compher as athletic director, a pair of matchups with the Panthers were announced on March 2, 2018. Today's game was originally scheduled for Sept. 2, 2023. When … [Read more...]
Inside Game DayGiveaways disrupt Pirates’ fast start
GREENVILLE — East Carolina scored first and last on Saturday at virtually-empty Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, but in between No. 13 Central Florida was sufficiently effective for a 51-28 American Athletic Conference victory. The Pirates (0-1) took it to the Knights (2-0) early as Holton Ahlers won the pregame toss, said ECU wanted the ball and then drove his hometown team 75 yards … [Read more...]
VIEW FROM THE EASTLong-awaited kickoff nears
East Carolina is scheduled to make its latest start to a football season on Saturday at home against No. 13 Central Florida (ABC, noon) since a 27-9 loss to Lenoir-Rhyne in Greenville on Sept. 27, 1947. Originally scheduled for ESPN+, the matchup has been shifted to the higher-profile ABC platform in place of the Notre Dame-Wake Forest game which was postponed due to COVID-19 … [Read more...]