Never claimed to be an expert. But, I do remember how to tackle - from 50 years ago - as those fundamentals haven’t really changed. Let’s ask Coach Harrell and Coach Houston if they think being critical of poor technique is silly. I’ll bet, not. The fact that they are really good coaches, and have the Pirates playing at a higher level, proves it. I’ll bet they reinforce the fundamentals every practice. So, when I see a couple of prominent Pirate defenders lose their technical discipline in multiple games, I point it out.

The Pirates have definitely upgraded at the skill positions but what is most impressive to me about this team is the discipline and fighting spirit. That is a direct result of good coaching. We are in very good hands, imo.

Good thing we have experts to keep the coaching staff in line!! Dude, let's please remember where we were just 4 years ago folks. It's actually fun to watch the Pirates again. I genuinely can get excited again on game day. Love coach Houston!!!! His recruiting is better than at any other time in our history IMO and I've been watching and keeping track of it for over 30 years. Recognize when it's good fans and get behind 'em!!!! Enough with the critical silliness. Go Pirates!!

Solid win. Yet, the defense continues to snatch moments of mediocrity from a superior performance. Classic moment when our #14 bounces off a receiver after not wrapping up. I hope he is shown (and others) the video at least once a day for the remainder of the year. Pirate secondary must be better at tackling fundamentals, as they are seldom capable of lockdown coverage. Best offensive play-calling of the year, overall. Do what you need to do on first down to get ahead of the chains. While Coach and his crew have upgraded o-line talent, Pirates are very seldom dominant over anyone. I hope the use of a short - but vertical - passing game to set up the running game becomes the lynchpin of the offense. The Pirates CAN run the ball, just not as the basis of the offense. Also, keep Ahlers as a viable run threat - nothing reckless - but use him to keep ahead of the chains. Hopefully, this win will be the catapult the Pirates need. Much to be happy about, yet there are still several basic points to clean up. Overall, well done (A-).

While the Pirates defense wasn't perfect, it certainly showed up, and was pretty damn good on balance, vs. a difficult to defend option scheme with very quick and intelligent Middies. The individual killer plays were obvious, the turnover that yielded points for Navy, the interception late on a mental mistake, and the missed FG in OT, but generally the game IMO was lost in the offensive trenches, and (echoing another comment), the play calling didn't exactly help matters. Though Navy played outstandingly well, this was obviously a bad loss if ECU is who Coach thinks they are; hopefully it will make ECU more determined for next week, and beyond.

Ahlers decision making doesn’t match his physical gifts. At this stage as a 4 year starter he should be on top of the game, not struggling thru it each week.

Give it to Navy, first of all, because they played better than the Pirates. Navy wasn't the most talented team on the field. However, they were the best coached team. The Navy defense was coached up well, and the Pirate offensive play-calling on first down contributed to Navy's success. Maybe I am on my own about this, but the Pirate offense seemed to be playing behind the sticks almost the entire game. Running RH into a pile of waiting Navy defenders on first down didn't fool anyone, rather the Navy defense appeared to be waiting for it. Despite this, near the end of regulation, the Pirates had their chance. Ahler's mistake extinguished an opportunity for the Pirates to "walk off" Navy back-to-back. Bottom line, Navy has our OC figured out about 90% of the time, and it shows. Our defense continues to have tackling issues. Are the coaches teaching the "no wrap up" body block tackle? I get the issue with questionably applied targeting parameters muddling up the basic concepts of tackling, but several repeat offenders keep showing up on the field. I know the "D" was hung out to dry by the offense, so fatigue could have been an issue. Still, it happens routinely, every game. Also, I thought the secondary fell back into some bad habits with their coverage technique. Peeking into the backfield when you need to be laser-focused on a receiver is a very human error, particularly against a team like Navy. Bottom line, the Pirates lost a game which should have been a "W". The team played hard, never quitting. Too many mistakes, penalties, and a well-prepared Navy defense made the difference.

Great report !

Correct on that. ESPN has been no stranger to G*Vegas. Interesting an App St fan would chime in on our site unprovoked to 'brag' about superiority. Why did you feel the need to do that? Seems to me, we share a space in NC as the 'want to be's' in many minds with the 'other schools' present here. We should be allies to some degree. App has had a good run in the last several years, but the Pirates have had some pretty good times as well. it runs in cycles it seems depending upon who is at the helm. As of now, we couldn't be in better hands. Love our current leadership!! And don't worry App fan, the series has been renewed between the two schools. It'll be soon, only a year away that it can be settled on the field. Perhaps some humility may be in order. Go Pirates!!!!

I recall Game Day visiting Greenville in the 90’s. They ran a story on B’s BBQ and didn’t get there on time to get any. Came back the next year and got to B’s earlier. Maybe that was the Game Day B team.

I recall Game Day visiting Greenville in the 90’s. They ran a story on B’s BBQ and didn’t get there on time to get any. Came back the next year and got to B’s earlier. Maybe that was the Game Day B team.

Campbell led after the first quarter? LOL ECU football is now behind App in talent and pecking order in the state of NC. App hosted Game Day (ECU never has), App just beat a Top 10 team on the road (ECU never has), App pounded ECU in their last meeting. Advantage App!

Hey, Don: I appreciate your comments. I think there may be some confusion. The Game Day Weather feature for the ODU game was posted at 12:50 a.m. on Oct. 10, which was almost 18 hours before the game. The headline and lede for the story appeared at the top of the Bonesville front page all day on game day. We typically post the Game Day Weather feature in the wee hours the night before each game. Is it possible that you discovered the article in a search after the article was dated? In any event, your comments and suggestions will always be appreciated. ... Go Pirates! Danny Whitford, Editor

Great to get the game day weather a week late for the ODU game. I looked every where for it last week. Any chanch we can get the weather forcast for the Campbell game?

I enjoyed the game inspite of the occasion rain. WE barely won the first half, and I was impressed with their quarterback and receivers. Their quarterback was very accurate and they burned us on some long plays. In the second half, it became obvious that we were the stronger team and I was very proudof how we played. Great game. GGGOOO...PPIRATES!!