Valid questions. The clock management at various 'crunch' times through the season has been an issue. Before the half, I think Coach was afraid the offense would pull a quick three-and-out, leaving Cincy time to do more damage. Still, knowing Cincy was getting the ball first after the half, you would think the Pirates would at least TRY to score at least a field goal. To me, it seemed as if Cincy had memorized most of the Pirate playbook. Couple that with an unwillingness to move Ahlers out of the pocket and force Cincy to adjust, made for a long day. I don't think the OC/Coach are willing to accept that the o-line can't execute either a solid run game or pocket passing, against stout competition. Also, Ahlers overall accuracy wasn't very high. Agreed, the defense played a decent game. Too much peeking into the backfield by the secondary, though. Hopefully, corrections can be made in time for the bowl game.

"ECU may have given its best shot in terms of effort, but the performance came up short on execution." That says it all, and I know that those long passes given up by the defense were hard to watch, but generally I thought the d was exceptional; the offense, not so much, but the Cinnci d had a lot to do w/ that; they appeared to be considerably quicker and faster. That late field goal SNAFU and interception were daggers. Cinnci proved that they're considerably superior, but I've got a nagging question as to what Houston was thinking about when ECU got a huge takeaway at the end of the first half, had the ball at their own 25 or so w/ well over a minute remaining, plus a timeout or two, a classic two minute drill situation, and yet they more or less sat on it!! What the hell was that about?? Was it confusion on the sideline, or just a "limit the damage" mentality?? Neither answer is satisfactory, and both reminded me of the Navy game, when they didn't go for it late in the 4th on a 4th and 1, and then basically mismanaged the clock at the very end, unnecessarily forcing a 54 yard fg. You cannot take away from the Pirates improvement, but I think there's more room for that on the sidelines, too.

Congrats to the Pirates for a very solid season, advancing both the overall quality of play, and more than doubling the Wins. Most important, the Pirates play hard every play, every game - no quitting. Unfortunately, against Cincy, the Pirates looked more like the team who played App State back in August, not the team who fought back through adversity against Navy. As much fun as it has been watching the advancement of the Program, the Cincy game is a reminder the Pirates are still a work in progress. Cincy may yet prove unworthy of a playoff spot, but you have to envy the workmanlike manner in which they take care of business. I think Coach Houston is trying to build that type of team. All three phases of the game faltered, showing how much our team needs to improve going forward - if the Pirates ever want to be in Cincy's position. Some of the mistakes/breakdowns were certainly due to the level of competition, while others were the Pirates' own doing. Much has been accomplished, yet, much is left to do. To realize how hard it is to achieve the results desired by Pirate Nation, look only to Cincy. Two full years at a high level of performance, yet still on the outside looking in at the playoffs. Again, congratulations Pirate football, and go win a bowl game!!

...will be super interesting to what happens under center after this season. If HA were to be drafted at all, it would be late, and he has a year of eligibility remaining, but you also have a high school four star who's been waiting in the wings for some time. My money says that HA will stay, and MG will enter the transfer portal.

Very enlightening comments by the Coach. Overall, it's hard to argue with his criteria for players. The turnaround in football culture is fantastic in and of itself. Additionally, Coach and his staff - and most of all, the players - have translated the change to very positive results on the field. Other than the App State game, the Pirates were capable of winning the next 10 games, eventually winning 7. Pirate Nation has every right to believe the Cincy game is doable. OMG, do I wish I could be there. I'm glad the Coach, in so many words, addressed the transition from Verity to Daffer as his kicker. I translate his words to mean he evaluated the team's need, and used a scholarship to fill a spot, elsewhere on the roster. Coaches have to do this all the time. The Pirates have paid a price for lacking a "long" leg on kick offs. There's no argument that Daffer isn't just a run-of-the-mill placekicker. He has come through on most of his attempts, and like the team as a whole, improved as the season progressed. How great it is as a Pirate Fan to know the team has reached beyond the obvious goal of being competitive, to having an 8-win season staring us in the face. Win or lose the Cincy game, the 2021 Pirates are special. Go Pirates!

This is not meant as the remotest critique against Coach, who has done a remarkable job restoring Pirates football, but I was extremely puzzled by his decision late in the game to kick the fg from the Navy 7 on 4th down and 1, to then still trail by 1. I thought that it was quite uncharacteristic of him, but it all worked out. Snead reminds me so much of the Super Bowl Patriots' slot backs Wes Welker and (later) Julian Edelman, undersized, extremely athletic, versatile and extraordinary playmakers. Ahlers' numbers were off the charts. Kudos to him, to the OL, and to the skill players around him; but this was a memorable all-around team win. You know that this edition of the Pirates is giving Cincinnati something to think about in the runup to this Friday. Coach is likely reminding his team of the trickeration Cinn. pulled against them late in the game last year, despite the Bearcats being way up on them at the time; that's fine locker room bulletin board material for an underdog team at home which very deservedly believes in itself. Go Pirates.

U got that right - a must play. So many plays, that's what a good team does, play after play - its takes many to be a winner. Soooooo far from where we were. These young men and coaches have earned respect and we need to fill up the stadium Friday!!! Get on board no matter what happens Friday. What a different feeling it is to watch Pirate football again, we have been in every game and could have easily won more!! Go Pirates!!!! AAAARRRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!!

With all due respect this article is incomplete without describing the play that forced Navy to Punt. Jaquan McMillan saved the day by forcing a fumble when he was singled up in coverage by a great call by Navy… McMillian sniffed it out and made the stop preventing a first down and forcing the punt. The rest is history. Pirates are playing hard and it is a pleasure to see.

What a ride this season has been..... Very bumpy and frustrating at times, but a whole lot of fun, adventure and suspense along the way. And, its not over yet Pirate Nation. 7-4 overall and 5-2 (currently 3rd place) in AAC. Not too shabby considering how far our proud program had floundered. The Pirate ship is headed on the right course and we have the captain we have all wanted in charge of the ship. Lets keeps this adventure going for two more games.

It wasn't pretty, until it was. After last week, I said regardless of how the Navy and Cincy games went, the Pirates had staked a claim on a new era of Pirate football. They found a way to win in Memphis, and in the process, doubled last year's win total. That's what a good team does! When you aren't playing your best, for whatever the reason, you get it done some other way. The replay showing the smile on Mike Houston's face spoke volumes! Validation of all that he believes in as a HBC. Do it the right way, No Quit and No Surrender. More to do - yes - but, a solid foundation has been established. Congratulations, Owen Daffer. Your proven ability as a place kicker has been justly rewarded with a grant. In a game where every point is precious, more often than not, you've come through. I have been critical of his kickoff ability - and I still am - but he continues to shine on place kicks. I hope ESPN includes HA's pass to Snead, which set up the field goal, in the highlight reel. Talk about dropping a dime into the phone booth coin slot! And Snead, completing the catch through the tumble! Defense - maybe a half-step backwards this week in technique and tackling. However, you Never Quit - and made enough plays to 'get it done'. The Pirates continue to suffer the consequences of not having the consistent ability to drive the kickoff into the end zone, and forcing touch-backs. I know I'm beating my own dead horse, but it's obvious! With Daffer not receiving a scholarship until now, it begs the question, what is the priority of kickers in the Pirate recruiting scheme? Or, as I questioned earlier in the season, was the staff blindsided by Jake Verity's departure? Good teams find a way... and, in what has been a true "no man's land' for Pirate football, the Pirates did it in grand fashion. One side of the ball is gashed, another side picked the team up and the third side of the ball literally 'stepped up'. Cincy's coming... could it be? And, isn't it GREAT to have that thought going into late November!

By Coach's assessment, you'd never know that his Pirates are favored (by 4) for this game, but that's what coaches do. ; )

I didn't believe the Pirates could get a win on the road in Memphis, playing as they did at times. It is a true testament of the Mike Houston football philosophy that the team simply refused to quit - even when the Pirates were their own worst enemy. Whether or not the remainder of the season goes to hell in a hand basket, the Pirates have definitely closed the door on a depressingly non-competitive era in Pirate football. Certainly, there is still more work to do - like not snapping the ball on the goal line with 25-30 seconds on the play clock, leaving Memphis with 1:29 on the game clock. I put that squarely on the sideline. I don't believe Memphis would have gotten the ball down field for the field goal - but who knows? Well done, Pirates! Now, how to figure out Navy's option offense?

Proud day for all Pirate Nation. Its been a long uphill tough struggle to get back from the equivalent of the coaching death penalty under Montgomery. This program is now a Houston program and this team looks and plays like a Mike Houston football team....and that is a very good thing for ECU.

That post-game emotion expressed by Coach and HA reflects the depth of what they and the whole team have invested into the program; while yesterday's performance was frustrating to watch at times, especially all of those points left on the table in the red zone, the final result was richly deserved. That 4th and a long 1 call on the Pirates' last drive, on their side of the 50, and with still like 7 minutes remaining, and an EMPTY BACKFIELD, was one gutsy (crazy?) call, and God bless Holton and Snead for vindicating it. We're also seeing the Pirate running backs really rising to this, helped of course by a hard working OL. The d continues to earn kudos, making the winning play at the end on the back of the right coaching call, and the freshman Daffer has quietly replaced Verity as a pretty darn dependable kicker. Next comes the Midshipmen and their tough to defend option attack, but beyond that, it wouldn't be crazy to place Cincinnati on upset watch. Congrats, Pirates.

The hard work of recruiting and the honesty displayed while leading from the front Has produced positive results on the field. Thank you John Gilbert and Mike Houston. Watching these young men struggle through adversity, compete on every single play with class, make us proud to be a Pirate !!