Blake Harrell's initial additions to his first complete recruiting class since being named East Carolina's head coach features a heavy influence from the Deep South, the core of which committed early to the Pirates. Eighteen high school and junior college prospects joined the Pirates' recruiting Class of 2026 during college football's early signing period. Football Bowl … [Read more...]
Bowl Press ConferenceGilbert & Harrell discuss postseason
East Carolina athletic director Jon Gilbert and football coach Blake Harrell fielded questions from reporters Monday about the Pirates' acceptance of an invitation to face Pittsburgh in the Military Bowl. Gilbert touched on a wide range of topics including the factors that complicated the selection of teams for this season's bowl games. While expressing satisfaction with ECU's … [Read more...]
FOOTBALL NEWSPirates summoned back to Military Bowl
For the third time in five seasons, East Carolina has received an invitation to the Military Bowl in Annapolis. The Pirates (8-4) will take on Pittsburgh (8-4) on Saturday, Dec. 27, at 11 a.m. (ESPN) at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium. Both coaches, Blake Harrell of ECU and Pat Narduzzi of Pitt, noted that their teams practice in the morning and should be ready for the early … [Read more...]
AMERICAN NOTESGreen Wave leads American into postseason
American Conference champion Tulane has earned the No. 11 seed in the 2025 College Football Playoff, marking the second time a team from the league has qualified for the CFP following Cincinnati's appearance in 2021. The Green Wave will travel to face No. 6 seed Ole Miss in a first-round matchup on Saturday, December 20, at 3:30 p.m. in Oxford, Mississippi. The game will air … [Read more...]
VIEW FROM THE EASTBowl foe and venue subject of speculation
In the old days, East Carolina's bowl destination and opponent would not be floating around in the twilight zone. When ECU went to Shreveport to play Louisiana Tech in the Independence Bowl in 1978, most of the region knew the Pirates were going before the official announcement. Bowls used to court programs, but now the postseason is shrouded in speculation and limited to … [Read more...]