GREENVILLE — East Carolina managed to keep Navy's triple option offense from staging a track meet at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on Saturday but the Pirates were defenseless against medical protocols in a 27-23 American Athletic Conference loss to the Midshipmen. ECU starting quarterback Holton Ahlers had a positive test for COVID-19 during game week and was out. Contact tracing … [Read more...]
VIEW FROM THE EASTPirates lose sneak-up factor vs. option foe
One consequence of East Carolina's 44-24 win at South Florida last week is that it should keep Navy from taking the Pirates lightly on Saturday. If ECU hadn't progressed from an 0-2 start that included a 51-28 American Athletic Conference loss at home to Central Florida and a 49-29 nonconference setback at Georgia State, the Midshipmen might have been inclined to believe … [Read more...]
Inside Game DayPirates put it together
TAMPA (Via ESPN+) — East Carolina eliminated problems contributing to an 0-2 start and pounded South Florida, 44-24, on Saturday night before the big Pirate ship at Raymond James Stadium, also home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. ECU junior quarterback Holton Ahlers made a significant turnaround after throwing three interceptions without a touchdown in last week's 49-29 loss at … [Read more...]
VIEW FROM THE EASTLingering pandemic costly for Pirates
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...]