The Pirates losing again isn't fun to watch but the thing that really disappointed me today was watching a few members of the band take a knee during the National Anthem on National TV. This is total disrespect for our country and should not be tolerated by ECU or any other sports team. Any band or team members that participate should be immediately dismissed from the band or team. If this is allowed to continue I will be dropping my 35 year membership in the Pirate Club along with purchasing future tickets. If you disagree with our country you are free to express your opinions in other ways and at the ballot box but that doesn't include disgracing the symbol of our freedom that so many Americans died for over the years.

Virginia Tect game will just be an unfortunate footnote on the season IF we can perform well from here on out. With a little luck, we can win all of the remainder of the schedule. GGOOOO.........PPIRATES!!!!

Insightful article, Brett. You've covered the Pirates extremely well for the past few years and everyone in Wilmington misses you and your contributions to sports coverage here. Be well.

Worst thing about the VT game is that we were completely outclassed. Preseason hype was that ECU would loose to State, SC and VT before conference play. With the Stat win, we are actually doing better than predicted. I believe we can still have a great season here on out. GGOOO....PPIRATES!!!

ECU's six game win streak against the ACC will never bite the dust. Only in the minds of the media.

Thank you for your email and I do acknowledge your statement that it's "an accepted term" in college football. Perhaps it is for some people. Not for me and I know for a fact that it's not for many other college football fans, especially for many fans of ECU. ECU does not benefit from this type of branding. And that's all it is. It's Marketing 101 where those involved attempt to achieve differentiation of the product(s) or service(s) being marketed. I don't understand why you think it's perfectly fine to write articles about ECU football and use this label which minimizes ECU. In articles that discuss our recent games involving teams from the ACC and SEC, just write truthfully that ECU has proven it can compete very well against teams from the ACC and SEC. You don't need to use any other label or branding. In my opinion, you and other journalists writing articles with this branding makes you complicit with the conferences you mention, in conjunction with TV, in an attempt to monopolize revenue generated from TV coverage. These activities sure seem to me to involve group actions that create barriers to entry and restrain open competition (perhaps a violation of the Sherman and Clayton Antitrust Acts). My hope is that, at some point soon, people of integrity (perhaps in Congress or the DOJ) will pursue an antitrust investigation. Division I-A football deserves a level playing field all all members meeting established membership criteria. With regard to your articles, I'm sure you want as many readers as possible who are fans of ECU football. Well, I can tell you, I stop reading when I see this type of branding. And I'm not alone. Thanks for you time.

Would you kindly cease using the term Power 5 opponent. There is no such classification. As soon as I see that in an article, I cease reading.

Thank you for pointing that out. I look forward to never hearing that again.

A mind bogging game - after the first 17 minutes of play, it looked like a rout by SC was taking place. Very proud and surprised how we played so well and practically won the game if not for the turnovers and penalties. GG))>>>PPIRATES!!!.

Would you kindly cease using the term Power 5 conferences. There is no such classification.

Shawn Armstrong with Cleveland Indians

Your "Rushing Leaders" lists NC State's players and their stats - not the Gamecock's stats...

We certainly were capable of beating South Carolina last week; I am pretty sure that VT is a better team. With some luck and good play , we are capable of beating Tect but we can't aford the mistakes of last week. GGOO....PPIRATES!!!

Ah yes... Va. Tech in 2013. Forgot about that one. Same math applies though.

@Dick Paddock... They keep saying that because they are right. The streak against NC State dates back to 2010. Three in a row vs them but only 2 of those wins have been since the ECU lost to UNC (2012). Therefore the streak against the ACC is 6. Follow the math now? They've won 6 straight games against the ACC since the loss to UNC in 2012. Hope that helps.