Ouch. The only thing positive that I can think of today is that I'm glad that next up is Ap State, an opportunity for ECU vs. an historically decent FBS program. That to me is preferable to ECU facing next up an NC Central, for example; presumably it helps ECU to put yesterday in the rear view. ...not sure how much can be taken from yesterday; hopefully not much, the thrashing was that severe, though at least it can be said that penalties MUST be reduced hugely going forward. Also, I hate to say it, but the tackling reminded me of the bad old days with Scott Montgomery on the sideline. The other unhappy thought is Spalding, their playmaker, being out before the first snap of the season, plus another would-be starting receiver or two; hopefully they're healthy sooner rather than later!

Everyone understood that ECU would be overmatched against the Tide. What you don’t like to see are so many unforced errors by the Pirates. I’m not sure if we gained many positive answers about the Pirates, going forward. Rushing the football proved to be impossible against the Tide. Without a rushing game, the Pirate offense was one-dimensional, and easily handled by Alabama. Hopefully, the O-line will improve quickly, as our receiver corp is depleted. A decent rushing attack almost always improves the passing game. The offense didn’t help the defense at all, given the poor time-of-possession. The Defense must learn how to take better angles to the point-of-attack, and do a much better job of tackling when they get there. With all of the roster turnover, and the quality of the opponent, the outcome isn’t a huge surprise. The Pirates will need to do a major cleanup in all phases before App State comes to town. Fortunately, the old adage about the most improvement occurring between the first and second games, favors the Pirates.

Understood, and who doesn't love that kind of dude, but the portal didn't exist back in the day, which I think makes that model harder to sustain.

...big test upcoming. I'm not a betting man, but I think the line's underrating the visitors; I'd take the Pirates and the points. Coach gives them a chance; let’s see a one-quarter-at-a-time approach, be in the game in the 4th, and see what happens. …love Brock Spalding’s game; he’s the quintessential playmaker. What’s the latest on that 5th year of eligibility situation? …did not see any of those 3 potential returner’s names mentioned? Honestly, I very genuinely feel bad for the roller coaster effect probably experienced by those dudes over this, but the whole question by now has probably become more of a distraction for the program than anything else.

February, my favorite day of the week.

...great, highly comprehensive report. Wow! Between the portal, NIL, and now this eligibility question, the "business" and regulatory aspects of football seem to have almost surpassed the game itself! It has to be a huge burden on the coaching staff, and it reflects poorly on the NCAA. Could they not have been more aggressive about proactively managing these issues? Maybe not, but it doesn't look great. I wonder how the eligibility issue potentially affects the locker room. I love the three guys potentially affected, but what about the dudes who've been there since last winter, putting in a lot of work, whose positions and playing time would be impacted? What I said about the greater burden on the staff.

Wow IS! During the glory days of ECU football (70’s& 80’s), we took football players. 6’, 270 lb linemen who could play helped secure many impressive wins against supposedly superior teams. We can’t “buy” great high school kids. We can secure “players” who have skills and a chip on their shoulder.

Your wish is granted, Seabound. I appreciate you chiming in. — Danny Whitford, Editor

Sorry Danny, please delete my comment - Holloway is not a basketball player, wrong guy. thanks for all you do

Greg, So sorry for your loss. I have enjoyed your Web Roundups for years. I pray the Vacek family will find peace knowing your father’s life was a life well-lived.

A fine Christian man and great Pirate. We all will miss him. God be with his family.

No disparagement whatsoever intended, but based on the programs going after this young man, the "market" for the most part doesn't see him being at the FBS level. It seems that that's the case for a fair number of the kids that ECU pursues. If they're going to be an upper tier AAC program, that's going to need to change.

At one time (pre internet) these were our only source of information in one reading of all the teams. I waited impatiently every season for the Athlon mags for college and the NFL to hit the stands. Now anything printed is old news. Considering the reduced budget and fading readership of any magazines, it’s unlikely they have much in depth coverage any more.

"Down I-95 would be a welcome change from up I-95 to the Military Bowl — like the last two seasons." Do you really mean that?? I'd venture that at least 90% of Pirates Nation would FAR prefer another trip to the Military Bowl for a Power Four opponent than the Pirates going down I-95 for a non-Power Four opponent (like WMU.)

I really don’t have much interest in college football anymore outside of watching ECU play. It is so pathetic how ESPN and the other networks only focus on the preferred 4 (Power 4) conferences. I have really lost interest in it because the cards are so stacked against the Group of 6 schools.