I don’t disagree with your point about JG. I thought surely Coach Baker would use Harris as a decoy out of the RPO, and allow Garcia to use his legs (with some strict instructions on ball security), putting maximum pressure on ODU while protecting the ball. That Coach Houston clamped down his own offense to the point that getting a first down was next to impossible speaks volumes. Being the second game, Pirate Nation has a right to be concerned about the level of sloppiness displayed by the offense. Some OL can’t seem to line up properly, and the ball being snapped when no one is ready for it, are just a couple of examples. Clearly, the interceptions are the biggest problem. That must be cleaned up. The Pirate defense won’t be able to cover 3-4 big mistakes each game. But, I’ll look at it with an optimistic eye, and point out that last year, we would not have gotten the win… so there’s reason to be hopeful.

"The well-traveled quarterback inspires confidence despite his turnovers..." Please; meaning no offense, this is demonstrably untrue. With a couple of minutes to go, and ECU at midfield, needing only one or two first downs to put the game away, three consecutive runs up the middle puts the lie to the above assertion, at least as far as the coaching staff is concerned, and it is somewhat understandable, given Garcia's penchant for throwing picks. The defense had a good game, but it would be dishonest not to admit that ODU shot themselves in the foot with crucial penalties, time after time, that were immensely helpful to ECU's cause. The Pirates are now heading into a significant three-game gauntlet in which it's not likely that they'll survive multiple interceptions in any of them. If Garcia starts the Ap game, then it must be while wearing a very short leash.

Pirates gotta establish a stronger running game.

How can a fan find a depth chart - just nice to have.

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.