Overall, I give the Pirates an A, but only because of the efforts of the defense. Far too many turnovers. The defense, most likely, WILL NOT be able to overcome that type of performance by the Pirate offense going forward. NS was clearly overmatched against the Pirates. That’s not going to happen again. Having said that, I believe interceptions are going to be a part of the future for the Pirates. This Garcia has no problem pulling the trigger, most probably encouraged by JDB. You can’t operate an offense designed to put maximum pressure on the defense without some risk. The accuracy must improve, and this week’s practices will provide a hint as to Garcia’s ability to do that. For a kid who didn’t play last year, and won the job after what has been reported as a very spirited competition, JG gets a passing grade. If the Pirate defense proves to be what BH/MH think it is, Pirate Nation could be in for a fun season.

Our young men looked good last night, but remember last years team looked good against GW. ODU should give a real measure of our improvement; ODU should have beat Chicken of Carolina in Columbia if not for those two fumbles inside their own 10 yard line. Five turnover need to be corrected; that will lead to a defeat against ODU who is appearing to be a tougher opponent than it did on paper 24 hrs. ago . GO PIRATES ARRGH.

Very nice report, I really enjoy reading Sammy"s work. Thank You

Ian sorry for the inconsistencies during the past month. I was ill and took some time off to recharge/recover. Should be back to a normal schedule now. Thank you for being a loyal Bonesville.net reader. -Greg

I could not agree more. Let’s give NS credit for 1-1/2 quarters of spirited play, coupled with some 1st game jitters by the Pirates. By halftime, the game should be decided, in favor of the Pirates. Anything less will be interpreted as an ill omen, and Pirate Nation would be right to do so. In this moment, I BELIEVE the glass is half-full. GO PIRATES!!

"...as soon as that ball kicks off on August 31st, virtually every snap of the season, there’s going to be some level of chaos." Coach is saying the right things, but if this is in fact the case vs. Norfolk, then Pirates Nation is in for another very long season. ECU cannot admit it, of course, but inarguably their first game in effect should be no more than a scrimmage vs. the JV; anything less than a decisive win will be a major red flag. Even after Norfolk, ECU's schedule this year is soft, with the exception of the Ap-Liberty-UTSA stretch, and Army. Here's hoping for a semblance of an offense this year, and a similar d to last year.

Hey, Ian: Greg has COVID. So do I. It's been a challenging couple of weeks around Bonesville. We hope to be back on the regular schedule soon. Thank you for touching base. — Danny Whitford, Editor

Great article!! Kevin does great on interviews. I may be a little bias because after all he is my son!!

Hey Greg, Any chance of getting the daily headlines up everyday. I enjoy looking at the headlines for ECU and the region. Just seems very inconsistent this summer.I appreciate what you guys do. Thanks, Ian

ECU beat Memphis their last two meetings; my how those two programs have diverged. Fairness dictates that Coach Houston be seated squarely on the hot seat going into this season. Admittedly this poll means little, but if it were to come out in fact no better for ECU than what it predicts, tied for 7th w/ Rice, and behind FAU and what has been a lately moribund USF program, then inarguably heads should roll, especially given ECU's softish schedule and last year's debacle.

"They packed that stadium last year even though it wasn’t the best season." LOL! In what game last year did ECU pack Dowdy-Ficklen? ECU average attendance* for 2023: 35,115, DOWN 11.4% from 2022. FIVE year average attendance* for ECU, 35,695. % capacity attendance* = 70.23% https://www.d1ticker.com/2023-fbs-attendance-trends/ * = ECU counts attendance as "tickets sold," not actual attendance.

Coach Godwin can beat you with his or he can beat you with yours. He will coach and teach up anybody who wears the uniform. I hope we all appreciate who we have at the wheel. These boys who are blessed to be under his tutelage will become better men!!

AL- I hope things are going well for you. WHS Class of 1979 having 2 day gathering in Washington at Civic Center- tried reaching when u all had server issues…. 100+ expected- former teachers , coaches, & photographer aka Ric & attending like at our 40th - 7/12 pm & all day 7/13 - Loved to have u attend! Some of your articles will be on display!!!!!

God Bless Coach Godwin and the players he recruits for ECU. I love how he mentors them to prepare for life (temporal and eternal) along with learning to play outstanding team baseball. Proud of these players, our baseball program, and my Alma Mater for still having some character and class in a world filled increasingly with corruption in college athletics. Keep it up Pirates!

Praise God for possibly the best group of seniors ever to play for East Carolina baseball. As the program moves further up the chain in college baseball and the process in place moves forward, Omaha gets closer and closer. Thanks Coach G for this upward trajectory. It has been fun.