If you’re looking for something positive to take from the 54-17 drubbing East Carolina received last Saturday at Virginia Tech, here’s one to try on for size: At least there weren’t any “what ifs” to ponder like there were after the previous week’s loss at South Carolina. Seriously. As bad as the Pirates’ performance was against the Hokies — and it was about as bad as it … [Read more...]
Insights from Brett: Defense changes the equation for ECU
East Carolina has long since passed the point of moral victories against Power 5 opponents, especially on days in which it outgains its brand name opposition by more than 200 yards and rolls up a 17-minute advantage in time of possession. So it’s understandable that coach Scottie Montgomery didn’t take too well to being asked if he could draw any positives from Saturday’s … [Read more...]
Game Day Slants: Jones feeling empty after record day
COLUMBIA, SC — The stat sheet from ECU’s game at South Carolina was one that Zay Jones might want to frame and proudly admire someday. Someday, but not Saturday. That’s because when the senior wide receiver looks at the numbers on the page for now, he’s too distracted by the score line at the top to notice the 22 receptions that helped put his name into two college … [Read more...]
Insights from Brett: Pirates plotting new ways to use Summers
The Paul Hornung Award was established in 2010 to honor “the most versatile player in college football.” As with most major awards, it has become the domain of players from the Power Five conferences, won by athletes whose versatility is usually contained to the traditional running and catching, with a little kick returning thrown in on the side. That’s a shame, since no … [Read more...]
Game Day Slants: Pirates’ moxie showed on 4th down bets
GREENVILLE — There were a lot of surprised people both in the stands and on the field at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on Saturday when ECU coach Scottie Montgomery told his offense to stay on the field for a fourth-and-one play from its own 36 late in the first quarter against N.C. State. Zay Jones wasn’t among them. “That’s the kind of go-get-it type team we are,” the senior … [Read more...]