ECU’s MVP for the game, or for the year? No question in my mind, it’s the punter Austin Barnes. Saturday, punting out of the end zone, Barnes crushes another punt 60+ yards with 4.8 second hang time. That’s next level NFL performance ECU fans! 4.8 sec. hang time out of the end zone and no ECU “gunner” coverage downfield and no ECU player within 15 yds. when the catch is made. The returner first runs the width of the field (in time for ECU players to get downfield in position to miss tackles - and they did) before going vertical and taking it for a touchdown. The coaches comment? “Barnes was supposed to punt it out of bounds.” Say what; you told Barnes to punt it 30 yd., 35 yd. or 40 yd. out of bounds from the end zone? Oh yeah, that’ll work. BS! THAT ridiculous coaches comment speaks volumes about the mentality of this inept ECU coaching staff. Seems that coaching staff finger pointing time has arrived. Big time player talent and coaches are clueless how to use it! Stay tuned fans. Coming soon, ECU QB will be limited to throwing 5 yd. passes and RB’s will be asked to take a knee after a 5 yd. gain. But, on second thought, that might keep the “well coached” ECU defense off the field a little longer.

Maybe the trustee meeting Tuesday will produce a. Hangs somewhere.

We obviously have a broken team and a lot of problems. If I had a car that was broken or having problems, I would change mechanics if that is what is needed. I realize that is a simple analogy, I realistically did not expect a great season, but I do expect our team to be competitive - outside of UCONN, it has not been competitive. And by-the-way, UCONN beat Temple this week. At least they are making progress. It is past a "come to Jesus meeting" time. TIME to see some immediate and sustained progress! If I go see the BYU game this weekend, I will have to spend a lot of money with travel, meals and hotels. Please tell me it is going to be worth it.

I am not suggesting we give up on the season, but we have to seriously consider, in the current situation that we need to develop more players; including in the quarterback role. The most consistent play of our quarterbacks has been inconsistency. Even with a leaky line, our quarterbacks are timid, and when the line holds, quarterbacks are still inaccurate. Yes, receivers are dropping catchable balls, but a little more accuracy might help. Maybe it's time to look beyond the two that have played? Maybe it's time for Montgomery to further evaluate and do what he said he didn't want to do: Call plays! Where is the rhythm, what is the reasoning? Are we over-thinking? Why do we play so slowly? Is it really necessary to go to the line and look back to the side on almost every play? Call the dang play and get on! Be decisive! You are outsmarting no one when you change plays, or decide late. The other team is changing too! Defense, just get better. We feel the pain. Find a wall that the team walks by, and just paint the definition of DISCIPLINE. Still, the most disappointing thing that I saw against UCF was a group of players laughing it up on the sideline after we were scored on again. Obviously, I don't know the situation; but on television, it looked like there were no worries about what was happening in the game. Lastly, Pirate Nation: SHOW SOME PRIDE! Don't just come out when the teams are winning, and don't ever again do anything as disgusting as trying to sell your tickets for $6 on StubHub! Get out to the game Saturday, and show some support!

Good Luck, Coach K.! The Pirates need you & the Old School Football Basics, desperately. We'll be watching & hoping to find that elusive 'Treasure'.all Pirates seek. 'X' marks the spot. ARRRRRRGG!

"dizzying number of pins to put on the map" Amen! Couldn't hold a job? Work on those Pirate deck chairs Coach Gutekunst, while we ECU fans dust off our snorkel gear.

I hope Brett Feidlander does not get paid for the garbage he produces. I think we know how bad it is. You don't need to put an exclamation mark on it.

Allow me to vent. ECU coaching problem, player problem or both? I don’t know, but this season, game after game, ECU fans are treated to a “papier mach’e” defensive unit that does not attack and does not disrupt, but instead waits on the offensive play to develop (fully develop); then apprehensively, belatedly reacts. Just a few simple suggestions to ECU defensive coaches. Please teach some basic fundamentals! How about instilling an “attack” mentality in defensive players? Replace defensive “reacting” with defensive “attacking.” Are ECU coaches or players unable to “anticipate” plays? Sure, in implementing an attacking defense mentality, anticipatory mistakes will be made, but they will be “acceptable” aggressive attacking mistakes. This current defensive mentality of laying back and waiting on the offense to come to you got old several games ago. Next, how about eliminating the apprehensive “hand tackling?” Replace these defensive attempted “pat downs” with legal, legitimate fundamental tackles! So far this season, on play after play, the ECU defense has repeatedly demonstrated that the safest player on the field is the ball carrier. Finally, teach smart football. Thug mentality, post play, unsportsmanlike misconduct penalties should earn a player a seat on the bench. More than once? You’re too dumb to play ECU football! Take a permanent seat. Just some sideline thoughts from a very frustrated ECU fan!

Al, I agree with you 100% - you obviously know more about what is going on than I do, but I know one thing - there are much better coaches and ADs out there. Time to right the ship and do it soon.

I do not expect that I will see the game on TV; I am tired of seeing a slaughter with ECU being the butchered animal. When can we expect to see a competitive team from ECU? Except for UCON, it is almost like seeing sheep being slaughtered. I have gotten so embarrised that I refuse to wear ECU hats or Polos.

Thanks for the honest assessment Brian. I sometimes get the feeling some in the local media tap-dance on how bad and embarrassing this team. staff, and administration appears to be.

Fulp and Williams are both seniors and both lack discipline. If they are not going to help us this year, then put in someone who can learn and help us next year. Fulp would never play for me again after TWO 15 yard penalties on the same drive. Play the youngsters and lets build something.

In my professional career I had to produce to keep my job. I could not afford to make any bad decisions and I worked under the assumption that a bad decision or poor performance was likely to cost me my job. Does the AD and football coach get a pass for bad performance. Come on folks - lets try to right the ship. There are plenty of good coaches and ADs at FCS programs that would love to be at ECU. Find them and bring them in.

Yeah, I was there too brother. No pressure on QB, no tackling, players that are so slow they can't keep up, no blocking, dropped passes, penalties........my God, does anyone know what is going on here? There is an unverified rumor that Rick Smith said he could see this train wreck coming early last year.....that what was being tried just was not going to work. Has anyone else heard this? If true, does anyone know what he meant, specifically?

I am really sorry that I bothered to renew my season tickets. In over 55 years as a ECU fan/supporter, I have never seen such a pathetic display. To those that make decisions, it's time some be made. It is a long drive from Holden Beach to Greenville, but it seems like an eternity on the way back after such lack of play on ECU's part. BRING BACK STEVE LOGAN!