Acquiring the punting services of EMU graduate transfer Barnes is a real “get” for the Pirates. The highly regarded Barnes, a Ray Guy semifinalist last year, is a difference maker and in his three years at EMU helped revive a horrible football program. So it appears the young man is up to the challenge and probably looking forward to playing before an ECU home crowd of 40,000 fans instead of the 500 to 1,500 at EMU.

Let's not kid ourselves here Dye would have went to Miami if he wouldn't of been fourth on the depth chart and barely getting in on special teams.

Another well-written and thoughtfully analyzed article, Brett. You bring up some valid points about the risk/benefit of using grad-transfers. From my distant vantage point in Wilmington, I think our coach has made a very wise decision for us in this particular year and with these particular players. Given the tough upcoming schedule, we need all of the talent & horsepower that we can muster if we hope to be above .500 at the end of November. I'm excited to see how this team will gel and perform on the field. We've got a lot of talent and we'll win some upsets if everyone buys into the system and performs up to their abilities. Wish you'd come back to the Port City and write some more articles for the Wilmington Star!! You're missed!

Dude! Are you delirious? You have obviously been watching too much fake news! The "kneelers" should have immediately been dismissed from the band and disciplined by the student council. The thing that kept us from becoming a laughingstock by these few arrogant, elitist liberals in the band was the fantastic and immediate response by the fans.

Good review of the athletic teams overall, but taking a swipe at the band was as unnecessary as the actions of some in the stands that day. It was indeed the negative actions in the stands that caused the national headlines.

Yay!

I have not heard anything about nelson in a long time. Is he no longer on the team?

When is Evan and Williams Sutton expected dates back and what is update on status of Holba ?

Didn't ECU sign an offensive lineman late this year that had originally signed with Louisville in 2015? What is his name and size?

Please let this Purple Field be an April Fool's joke.

Thanks Brett...love to see any and all insightful commentary throughout spring and into the fall. Enjoyed the read!

Good luck BIG DOG, Coach Prunty.

Holba needs to be a weekend starter for the remainder of the season. Wolfe to a mid week starter.

Excited to read about ECU's baseball program and hopeful that this may be the year that we finally reach the world series. GOOO....PPIRATES!!!

Hey, maybe they've found their mojo. They will need it for sure today! Go Pirates!