I'm shocked that State didn't try pounding the ball a lot more, and that 4th and goal try to go up by two scores late was really dumb. Basically, I think that State coaching was helpful to the Pirates, but that's not meant to take one iota away from their truly gritty, courageous performance. My guess is that as good as Coach Houston might've felt about his team before the game, he felt even better about them afterward. Based on the line, was State overrated, ECU underrated or both? I'm thinking both.

I certainly hope you are right, and I think after the game, State has more question marks and soul searching to do. They came in a 12 point favorite and ranked #13, and left wondering if they are really that good. I think the Pirates look more like a true Mike Houston team each game. ECU has some special team issues to address but the program has to feel good about itself and the prospects for a successful season after this overall solid effort. Lets just forcus on ODU for now.

Pirates flying around, scratching, fighting, that was their goal line and they were not going to surrender it! Never been so proud of a bunch. 2 penalties, are you kidding me? The aggression without chippy attitude is intimidating to the opponent. Things are different in Greenville, 10 wins this year!

I love Ruff, good man. He was not a head coach, did not recruit, his star players were walk on guys, except for Zay, and Robert Jones Called Ruff to sign Zay. Ruff did not recruit one single D1 lineman in his time In Greenville. Had several discipline problems , his teams were penalized often. He should have been fired, but the AD was totally wrong for the way he handled the firing. Lincoln was the only reason we won any games under Ruffs time on the pay roll. It’s natural for Ruff to give cold shoulder , he was humiliated by the AD, can’t say that I would handle the situation as well as Ruff had that been me getting fired that way. Life goes on.

Love this coach!

I didn't care for this comment, "nothing but wishing them well. " ECU has become "them." He mention East Carolina one time when he discussed the fan base. Everything else was their team, the stadium, their stadium. He can't even say Pirates. I will not be glad to see him. He wore a red shirt when he was inducted into the ECU Hall of Fame. It was a statement. He could have worn a white shirt and a black tie. But the red was inappropriate. I realize he was treated terrible by Compher, but we did nothing to get him fired. . I didn't think that should be blamed on all of Pirate Nation. I wish he would be up in the box so we wouldn't have to see his ugly red shirt. It is too much. His interview was generic I thought. He coaches and encourages young me ! My rant for the day.....

Thanks, Sammy I really like your reports. We seem to have found Ga. has fertile recruiting grounds. Appears to be better than Va. and North.

"...a 240-pound kid coming downhill with great speed..." Welcome to high school football in the south.

Super write-up

I am so excited and hopeful about our football program this year. I am very proud of our accomplishments last year. I believe happy days are ahead. GGOOO....PPIRATES!!!

Excellent report

Winning a conference title would do wonders for this program. Maybe we catch all the breaks and find the magic formula in 2022?! Go Pirates!

Another fine report by Sammy. I really enjoy his writings.

...hard to imagine that an offer or two won't be dangled in front of Coach from an elite program or conference, but heck, he has MADE ECU elite, or darn close to it, with yet still further success to be won. (Omaha, I'm lookin' at you.)

Great read as usual Al…Super Regional was terrific! Hope to catch you around the games again one day…. Lots of WHS people around stadium. Take care!