BOCA RATON, FL – East Carolina dismantled Florida Atlantic 42-3 on Saturday afternoon at Schellenberger Field, scoring all of its points in the first half to improve to 8-4 overall and 6-2 in American Conference play. The six conference victories represent the most in program history since joining the American in 2014.

Quarterback Katin Houser directed the offensive attack, completing 20 of 29 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns while adding 67 yards and two more scores on the ground. Running back Marlon Gunn Jr. rushed for 130 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries, averaging 9.3 yards per attempt as East Carolina finished with 524 total yards of offense.

The Pirates needed just 4:33 to score on their opening possession, driving 75 yards on 13 plays before Gunn Jr. plunged in from one yard out with 10:27 remaining in the first quarter. On the ensuing kickoff, Florida Atlantic fumbled the ball away after a short reception by Easton Messer. Linebacker Jordy Lowery forced the fumble and defensive back Jasiyah Robinson recovered at the FAU 27-yard line.

One play later, Houser hit Desirrio Riles for a 27-yard touchdown pass to make it 14-0 just 17 seconds after the first score. The quick-strike sequence set the tone for a dominant first half.

East Carolina struck again following a FAU punt, marching 84 yards on six plays in 2:14. Houser connected with Brock Spalding for a 22-yard touchdown pass at the 7:04 mark, pushing the lead to 21-0. The three scoring drives consumed a total of just 7:17 of game time.

Florida Atlantic (4-8, 3-5 American) got on the board with a 33-yard field goal by Garrison Smith with one minute left in the opening quarter, but that would be the Owls' only score of the afternoon.

The second quarter brought more of the same for East Carolina. After a 14-play, 75-yard drive that took 5:06 off the clock, Houser scored on a four-yard run to extend the lead to 28-3. The Pirates converted six of six third-down attempts in the second quarter alone, keeping Florida Atlantic's defense on the field.

Defensive back Teagan Wilk intercepted FAU quarterback Caden Veltkamp in the second quarter and returned it 35 yards to the Florida Atlantic 39-yard line. The turnover led to another East Carolina touchdown drive, this one covering 61 yards on 10 plays. Running back Rion Roseborough scored from one yard out to make it 35-3 with 3:10 left in the half.

East Carolina saved its most efficient drive for last in the opening half. Starting from their own 24-yard line with 1:42 remaining, the Pirates drove 76 yards on nine plays in just 1:28. Houser capped the drive with a seven-yard touchdown run with 14 seconds left before halftime, sending the Pirates to the locker room with a 42-3 advantage.

The first-half dominance was evident in the statistics. East Carolina converted nine of 10 third-down attempts in the first 30 minutes while rushing for 197 yards on 35 carries. The Pirates controlled possession for 20:56 of the first half and built an insurmountable lead.

Riles finished with seven receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown, while Spalding caught five passes for 76 yards and a score. Running back London Montgomery added 53 yards on 17 carries as East Carolina averaged 4.8 yards per rush as a team.

The East Carolina defense forced three turnovers and recorded four sacks. Safety Ja'Marley Riddle intercepted Veltkamp twice, returning one for 10 yards in the third quarter and recovering a fumble in the fourth quarter at the ECU four-yard line to snuff out Florida Atlantic's best scoring opportunity of the second half.

Veltkamp completed 19 of 31 passes for 183 yards with two interceptions and was sacked four times. Backup quarterback Zach Gibson entered in the second half and completed 12 of 20 passes for 116 yards with one interception. The Florida Atlantic offense managed just 39 yards rushing on 22 attempts, averaging 1.8 yards per carry.

Defensive end Zion Wilson recorded two sacks for the Pirates, while linebacker Kevon Merrell led the team with eight total tackles. East Carolina held Florida Atlantic to three of 15 conversions on third down and recorded nine tackles for loss totaling 43 yards.

The second half became a formality with East Carolina's large lead. The Pirates played conservatively and did not score after halftime, instead running clock and giving playing time to reserves. Backup quarterback Mike Wright Jr. saw action and also handled punting duties.

Florida Atlantic's most sustained drive came late in the third quarter and extended into the fourth. The Owls drove from their own 26-yard line to the East Carolina four-yard line, covering 70 yards on 11 plays over nearly 14 minutes. However, Gibson fumbled on a rush from the one-yard line, and Riddle recovered to end the threat.

Messer led Florida Atlantic with 10 receptions for 86 yards, and running back Gemari Sands had 34 rushing yards on nine carries to pace the ground game. The Owls finished with 338 total yards but could not capitalize on their 34:39 time of possession advantage.

The Pirates now await their bowl destination, having secured postseason eligibility for the fourth time in the last five years. Be sure to check Carolina Gridiron’s Bowl Season page for the latest information.

CHARLOTTE – Will Henderson III rushed for 185 yards and a touchdown, and Owen McCown threw for 306 yards and two scores as UTSA defeated Charlotte 28-7 at Jerry Richardson Stadium on Saturday.

The Roadrunners (5-5, 3-3 American) controlled the game from start to finish, outgaining the 49ers 521-197 in total offense. UTSA averaged 6.9 yards per play compared to Charlotte's 3.4, and the visitors converted 7 of 13 third-down attempts while holding the 49ers to 6 of 15.

McCown connected with Devin McCuin for a 45-yard touchdown on UTSA's second possession of the game, capping an 85-yard drive that took just over two minutes. The Roadrunners reached the red zone three times in the first half but had to settle for a 7-0 lead at intermission after Michael Petro missed field goals from 33 and 35 yards.

Charlotte's defense kept the game close through 30 minutes, allowing just seven points despite UTSA crossing midfield on four of five first-half possessions. Gavin Shipman intercepted McCown in the end zone on the Roadrunners' second drive, and Randy Franklin broke up a fourth-down pass in the end zone to end the half.

"We had our chances; it was a one-score game at halftime," Charlotte head coach Tim Albin said. "We couldn't get anything going offensively, consistently. The run game is a problem and it's no fun to play quarterback when you can't run the ball consistently."

The 49ers (1-9, 0-7 American) managed just 51 rushing yards on 30 attempts, an average of 1.7 yards per carry. Charlotte has now been held to fewer than 100 rushing yards six times this season and under 200 total yards twice.

UTSA broke the game open in the second half. Petro missed another field goal attempt from 35 yards to open the third quarter, but Henderson took over on the next possession. The running back carried 19 times for 190 yards, including a 59-yard touchdown run that put the Roadrunners ahead 14-0 with 3:17 left in the third quarter.

The touchdown run was part of an 80-yard drive that required just five plays and took 2:02 off the clock. Henderson averaged 9.7 yards per carry and accounted for more than half of UTSA's 215 rushing yards.

McCown added his second touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter, finding David Amador II from seven yards out to cap a 67-yard drive and push the lead to 21-0. The touchdown came just 13 seconds into the fourth quarter after UTSA converted a fourth-and-two on the previous play.

Derrick Eley provided the lone highlight for Charlotte on the ensuing kickoff. After a penalty moved the kickoff to the 20-yard line, Eley fielded the ball at the 12 and returned it 88 yards for a touchdown. The return marked the fifth kickoff return touchdown in program history and the first since Aaron McAllister's 97-yarder. Eley's return is the fourth-longest in school history and the sixth-longest all-purpose play the program has produced in its 13 seasons.

"Coach [Brian] Haines has done a tremendous job on those [special teams] units," Albin said of his special teams coordinator. "Derrick is obviously very exciting and electric. Every time he gets the ball in his hands, you think he's going to score. I thought he should've scored last week at East Carolina."

UTSA answered quickly, putting together a 65-yard touchdown drive on its next possession. McCown capped the seven-play march with a two-yard rushing touchdown with 5:46 remaining, restoring the three-touchdown advantage at 28-7.

McCown completed 24 of 37 passes with one interception. His top target was McCuin, who caught seven passes for 100 yards and the touchdown. AJ Wilson added five receptions for 87 yards, while Houston Thomas had four catches for 54 yards.

The Roadrunners controlled possession for 31:14 compared to Charlotte's 28:46. UTSA also held a 29-13 advantage in first downs and forced four sacks.

Charlotte quarterbacks Grayson Loftis and Zach Wilcke combined to complete 16 of 28 passes for 146 yards and an interception. Loftis was 13 of 24 for 100 yards and was sacked three times, while Wilcke went 3 of 4 for 46 yards with an interception and one sack.

Javen Nicholas led Charlotte's receiving corps with six catches for 45 yards. Sean Brown had four receptions for 43 yards. On the ground, Cameren Smith rushed nine times for 37 yards, and Jariel Cobb added 26 yards on six carries.

The 49ers reached the red zone just once, and that possession ended with Wilcke's interception on fourth down at the UTSA 17-yard line with 2:15 remaining in the game.

Charlotte honored 26 seniors before the game in a pregame ceremony. The group combined for 393 games played and 136 starts as members of the program.

"I'm very proud of our 26 seniors," Albin said of his first senior class at Charlotte. "They could've chosen to walk out of here with the coaching change but they chose to stay. I thanked every one of them today on the field for probably the 1,000th time and I thanked them after the game. We are building something from the inside out and they helped lay the foundation. We have an unbelievable fan base that has supported us all year long. I know our football team appreciates it."

UTSA's defense forced one fumble and recorded one interception. Tyan Milton intercepted a pass and returned it 50 yards. The Roadrunners recorded five tackles for loss totaling 31 yards and had three sacks for 26 yards.

Charlotte's defense registered four tackles for loss for 31 yards but did not record a sack. Gavin Willis led the 49ers with seven solo tackles and nine total stops. Thailand Baldwin and Kadin Schmitz each finished with six tackles.

For UTSA, Shad Banks Jr. led the defense with seven solo tackles and eight total. Tyan Milton and Zach Morris combined for 10 tackles from the secondary.

Charlotte closes the regular season with road games at No. 5 Georgia on Nov. 22 and at Tulane on Nov. 29. UTSA returns home to face Army West Point on Nov. 23.

Key Performers

UTSA

• Will Henderson III: 19 rushes, 185 yards, 1 TD (59-yard long)
• Owen McCown: 24-37, 306 yards, 2 passing TDs, 1 rushing TD
• Devin McCuin: 7 receptions, 100 yards, 1 TD

Charlotte

• Derrick Eley: 88-yard kickoff return TD
• Javen Nicholas: 6 receptions, 45 yards
• Gavin Willis: 9 total tackles

GREENVILLE – East Carolina turned a sluggish offensive performance against BYU into distant memory with an explosive first quarter that carried the Pirates to a 28-6 victory over Army on Thursday night at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.

The Pirates scored touchdowns on their first three possessions, all requiring less than three minutes each, to build a 21-0 lead before the opening quarter expired. That early barrage proved decisive against an Army team that entered averaging over 300 rushing yards per game but managed just 241 yards on 53 carries against ECU's defense.

Quarterback Katin Houser orchestrated the fast start, completing 15 of 22 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing score. His 41-yard completion to Anthony Smith on the game's fourth play set the tone for ECU's first drive, which concluded with Houser's 3-yard touchdown run at the 12:05 mark.

Smith hauled in his first touchdown of the season on the Pirates' next possession, a 40-yard scoring strike that extended the lead to 14-0. The senior receiver finished with three catches for 87 yards, his 10th career touchdown and seventh as a Pirate.

ECU capped its opening-quarter scoring spree when Houser found Jayvontay Conner for a 20-yard touchdown pass with 39 seconds remaining. The drive included a 27-yard completion to Yannick Smith, part of what became nine explosive plays (15-plus yards) for the Pirates.

Army's triple-option attack, which had accumulated 82 offensive plays in each of its first three games, managed just 65 snaps against ECU. The Black Knights converted only two of 15 third-down attempts and four of nine fourth-down tries, a stark contrast to their 10-for-14 fourth-down success rate entering the game.

The defensive effort limited Army quarterbacks Dewayne Coleman and Cale Hellums to a combined 6-of-12 passing for 49 yards, ECU's lowest passing yards allowed since holding Gardner-Webb to 30 yards in 2023. Coleman, who handled the majority of the snapping duties, completed 5 of 9 attempts for 36 yards while adding 51 rushing yards on 22 carries.

ECU linebacker Teagan Wilk led all defenders with nine tackles, while first-time starter DJ Johnson Jr. recorded eight tackles and a tackle for loss. Samuel Dankah contributed the Pirates' lone sack, dropping Coleman for a seven-yard loss.

Army managed its only touchdown early in the third quarter when Coleman punched in a 2-yard run to cap a 75-yard drive. The Black Knights failed on their two-point conversion attempt, leaving the deficit at 21-6.

The Pirates answered in the fourth quarter with perhaps the game's most memorable play. Facing fourth down at the Army 32-yard line, ECU lined up for a field goal attempt but executed a fake when Kyler Pearson took the snap and raced 32 yards to the end zone for his first career touchdown.

ECU's ground game complemented the passing attack with 180 yards on 50 carries. London Montgomery carried 15 times for 58 yards, while Marlon Gunn Jr. added 53 yards on 10 attempts, including a 15-yard gain late in the game.

The Pirates nearly extended their lead further but committed two turnovers deep in Army territory during the second quarter. Stephen Nnadozie intercepted a Houser pass at the Army 17, and Eric Ford forced a fumble at the 18-yard line when he deflected an option pitch.

Despite those missed opportunities, ECU controlled time of possession for 25:58 compared to Army's 34:02, an unusual statistic given the final score. The Pirates maximized their possessions with explosive plays while Army's methodical approach yielded minimal scoring chances.

The victory improved ECU to 3-2 overall and 1-0 in American Athletic Conference play, marking the sixth time the Pirates have started conference play with a victory since joining the league. Army fell to 1-3 overall and 0-2 in conference action.

For ECU, the win represented a significant bounce-back performance after managing just 271 total yards in a loss to BYU. The Pirates accumulated 431 yards against Army, surpassing 400 yards for the 10th time in 11 games under head coach Blake Harrell.

The attendance of 32,497 witnessed ECU's first home victory over a service academy since 2004, extending the Pirates' series dominance to 9-1 all-time against Army. The Black Knights, defending American Athletic Conference champions, now face an uphill battle to repeat after their slow start to conference play.

Key Performers:

• Katin Houser (ECU): 15-22, 251 yards, 2 passing TDs, 1 rushing TD
• Anthony Smith (ECU): 3 catches, 87 yards, 1 TD
• Teagan Wilk (ECU): 9 tackles (4 solo)
• Noah Short (Army): 22 carries, 127 yards
• Dewayne Coleman (Army): 22 carries, 51 yards, 1 TD; 5-9 passing, 36 yards

CHARLOTTE – Rice turned a balanced offensive attack into a statement victory Thursday night, defeating Charlotte 28-17 at Jerry Richardson Stadium behind 255 rushing yards that controlled the game's tempo and outcome.

The Owls (3-1, 1-0) established their ground dominance early and never relented, with three different players combining for 224 rushing yards on 32 carries. Daelen Alexander led the charge with 73 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries, while quarterback Chase Jenkins added 71 yards and a score on 10 attempts. Quinton Jackson contributed 80 yards on 12 carries to round out the trio's balanced assault.

Charlotte (1-3, 0-1) managed just 75 rushing yards on 32 attempts, a stark contrast that defined the game's flow and ultimately determined its winner.

The 49ers struck first with a methodical 12-play, 63-yard opening drive that consumed over six minutes and ended with Liam Boyd's 29-yard field goal. Rice answered quickly, needing just nine plays to cover 75 yards, capped by Jenkins' 9-yard touchdown pass to Dean Dickmann with 4:25 remaining in the first quarter.

Charlotte kicker Boyd proved reliable early, converting field goals from 25 and 40 yards in the second quarter to keep the 49ers within striking distance at 7-6 and 9-7 respectively. The 40-yarder came with 2:23 left in the half following an eight-play, 45-yard drive that showcased Charlotte's ability to move between the twenties.

Rice's response proved decisive. Jenkins orchestrated a six-play, 75-yard drive that took just 1:05, breaking free for a 34-yard touchdown run with 1:18 remaining in the second quarter. The score gave Rice a 14-9 halftime advantage and momentum they would never surrender.

The third quarter belonged entirely to Rice. Alexander punched in a 13-yard touchdown run to cap a seven-play, 75-yard drive that extended the lead to 21-9 with 11:33 remaining in the period. The Owls' ground game had found its rhythm, averaging 5.5 yards per carry while controlling possession.

Rice put the game away early in the fourth quarter when Alexander scored his second touchdown, a one-yard plunge that concluded a nine-play, 57-yard drive. The touchdown made it 28-9 with 10:31 remaining, giving Rice breathing room despite Charlotte's late rally attempt.

Charlotte finally found the end zone with 7:27 left when quarterback Grayson Loftis, who came on in relief of injured starter Connor Harrell, connected with Javen Nicholas for a 31-yard touchdown. The 49ers successfully converted a two-point attempt on another pass to Nicholas, cutting the deficit to 28-17, but the comeback effort came too late.

The statistical story told the tale of two different offensive philosophies. Rice ran 46 rushing plays compared to Charlotte's 32, controlling the line of scrimmage throughout. The Owls averaged 6.1 yards per play while Charlotte managed just 4.4 yards per snap.

Charlotte's passing attack showed flashes, with Loftis completing 15 of 31 attempts for 186 yards and one touchdown. Nicholas led all receivers with five catches for 93 yards and the lone touchdown, while Sean Brown added three receptions for 47 yards.

Rice's passing game remained efficient if not spectacular. Jenkins completed 8 of 11 attempts for 87 yards and one touchdown, while backup Derek Devillier added one completion for 11 yards.

The defensive battle favored Rice significantly. The Owls recorded six sacks for 45 yards while Charlotte failed to bring down Rice quarterbacks behind the line of scrimmage. Rice also won the turnover battle, recovering one fumble while committing none themselves.

Charlotte's red zone struggles continued, settling for field goals on multiple drives that reached deep into Rice territory, while the Owls converted all three of their chances inside the 20-yard line.

The victory marked Rice's third win in four games to open the season, while Charlotte dropped to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in conference play.

Key Performers

Rice:

• Daelen Alexander: 10 carries, 73 yards, 2 TDs
• Quinton Jackson: 12 carries, 80 yards
• Chase Jenkins: 10 carries, 71 yards, 1 TD; 8/11 passing, 87 yards, 1 TD

Charlotte:

• Javen Nicholas: 5 catches, 93 yards, 1 TD; 2 punt returns, 36 yards
• Rod Gainey Jr.: 8 carries, 51 yards
• Grayson Loftis: 15/31 passing, 186 yards, 1 TD
• Liam Boyd: 3/4 field goals (29, 25, 40 yards)

CHARLOTTE – There was a buzz in the air at the Charlotte Convention Center for the 2025 American Conference Media Days, but not necessarily around the Charlotte 49ers. While other programs rolled in with hype, swagger, and championship chatter, Charlotte came in a little different. Under new head coach Tim Albin, the 49ers weren’t selling bold predictions. They were laying the foundation for something bigger, a full-on rebuild.

Coming off a 5-7 season, the national expectations are about as low as you’ll find. Phil Steele has Charlotte at No. 114, Lindy’s at 122, and Athlon at 124. The projected win total? Around 4.5. No one’s penciling them in for a bowl game. And with nearly 40 new transfers and just one returning offensive starter, redshirt senior Jonny King, it’s no wonder. This roster is almost entirely brand new.

But if Albin felt any pressure, he didn’t show it. The former Ohio head coach, who just won a MAC title in 2024, walked to the podium with calm confidence. His mantra, “Success is Through the Heart,” comes straight from his mentor, Frank Solich, and it’s more than just a catchphrase. Albin’s focus is building the culture first. Wins will come later.

“Good afternoon. Appreciate you being here,” he began, taking time to thank American Commissioner Tim Panetti and shout out Chancellor Sharon Gaber and AD Mike Hill. He even gave credit to his wife, Brooke, calling Charlotte a “two-person job.” That family-oriented tone is clearly part of how Albin plans to run the program.

Throughout the day, Albin’s message stayed consistent: this is a “total building job,” but it’s not starting from square one. He admitted the team has to clean up its mistakes, turnover margin and penalties were both big issues last season, and said that improving those areas is non-negotiable if Charlotte wants to take the next step.

As for all the new faces? Albin isn’t treating this like Year 1. “It’s not 56 freshmen,” he said. “We got a good nucleus coming back… Let’s have a year three mentality.” Translation: This isn’t a long-term rebuild. The expectation is to compete now.

Albin brought two veterans with him to Charlotte: safety Ja’Qurious Conley and offensive lineman Jonny King. Both are redshirt seniors and, in King’s case, a symbol of loyalty. King stuck around despite transfer offers from other programs. That decision wasn’t lost on Albin. “His passion for UNC Charlotte” stood out in the coach’s remarks, and it’s clear King is viewed as a leader in this reset.

Offensively, Charlotte will look different. Albin described the plan as a “controlled burn” under OC Todd Fitch, with a focus on establishing the run game to open up the pass. He wants “fast, physical, efficient” football. King will anchor the offensive line, and the quarterback competition, between Connor Harrell, Grayson Loftis, and Zach Wilcke, is still ongoing. But Albin praised the QB room’s football IQ and ball security.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a 2025 press conference without talking transfer portal. Charlotte hit it hard, bringing in the third-best portal class in the American and 78th nationally. It’s a bold “win now” approach, but also a challenge to Albin’s relationship-first style. How do you build trust when half the roster is new every year?

Albin didn’t dodge it. Instead, he said he wants to be directly involved in roster management, “picking the groceries,” as he put it. He believes if players know their coaches have their back, they might stick around, even if NIL dollars start calling elsewhere. It’s a risky philosophy in this era, but Albin’s betting on culture.

When asked about the goal for 2025, Albin didn’t mention bowls or win totals. He just wants that final game to mean something. “Let’s have that last game of the season… Let’s be it… Let’s have that game, it’s for something.” That “something” could be a bowl, a shot at respect, or just a marker that the program is headed in the right direction.

There’s no sugarcoating it: Charlotte has a tough road ahead. The schedule includes Georgia, North Carolina, and Army. Most of the roster is new. The media predictions are bleak. But Albin’s approach is clear, build the right foundation, invest in people, and the results will follow.

This wasn’t a media day full of soundbites or swagger. It was about purpose. The 49ers are under construction, but now, the blueprint is finally on the table.

CHARLOTTE – It was hot and buzzing in Charlotte as the 2025 American Conference Media Days kicked off, but few teams drew more interest than East Carolina. The buzz wasn’t just about the Pirates’ dramatic finish last season or their bowl win over NC State. It was about Blake Harrell, who’s officially in charge now after having the interim tag removed. And based on what he brought to the podium, there’s no doubt this program is entering a new era.

Harrell earned this shot. After stepping in midseason, he led ECU to a 4-1 finish and capped it off with a Military Bowl win against a ranked in-state rival. That momentum, and the players’ emotional reaction when his hire became permanent, signaled a culture shift in Greenville. As one note put it, Harrell “lit a new fire in the program.” And now, he’s ready to build something that lasts.

"I'm fired up to be the 23rd head football coach at East Carolina," Harrell said with a smile. "There’s no better place. It’s a special place, Dowdy-Ficklen, Greenville, Pirate Nation. Thank you for making it a place where football matters." He was appreciative, but quickly got back to business. "You can't take one single play from last season into this one," he said. "But you can take the confidence."

That theme, confidence without complacency, ran through everything Harrell said. He brought two key leaders with him: senior linebacker Ryheem Craig and quarterback Katin Houser. Craig brings relentless energy every day, according to Harrell, not just on the field but everywhere he goes. As for Houser, who went 5-2 as a starter last year, the coach had high praise. “His commitment to being a Pirate says a lot, especially in today’s college football world,” Harrell said. “But what I’m most proud of is the way he’s stepped up as a leader this offseason. He’s leading from the front.”

The 2025 roster is a big mix of old and new. ECU brought in 53 newcomers, including 23 true freshmen, and lost 22 seniors. It’s a young team, with about 40% of the roster made up of first- or second-year players. But Harrell likes what he’s seen. “What I’m most pleased with is how the locker room welcomed those guys. It’s all been about the team.” The goal? Blend that youth with the leadership of 28 seniors to create real depth and competition.

Defense, Harrell’s specialty, will look different. Just two starters are back. But he isn’t panicking. “It starts with how we do everything,” he said. “How we walk into the building, how we practice, how we meet. You’ve got to build the foundation before you talk about red zone defense or tempo offenses.” He emphasized effort and energy, two words that defined ECU’s late-season surge.

Among the new names to watch is linebacker Dameon Wilson, a Gastonia native who transferred in from Missouri and started in the bowl game. “He may not be a returning starter officially, but in my mind, he is,” Harrell said. Wilson will wear the coach-to-player headset and call the defense. On offense, Oklahoma transfer Quaize Pettaway has turned heads at slot receiver. And there are familiar faces returning, too, like Teagan Wilk and Xavier McIver, both of whom “know what it means to be a Pirate.”

Naturally, the season opener was a big topic, especially since it’s a rematch with NC State, the team ECU beat in last year’s bowl. That game ended with some postgame drama, and Harrell addressed it head-on. “It was an emotional game, a lot of energy. But we talk to our players all the time, positive or negative, you’ve got to learn the lesson and move on,” he said. “There’s no place for how that ended. Sportsmanship has to be at the forefront.” Still, he knows opening against a rival just 75 minutes away is a big deal. “It’ll be a great atmosphere in Raleigh,” he added. “But we’ve got to stay focused on us.”

Another wrinkle to the 2025 schedule: ECU has four Thursday night games. Harrell’s all for it. “That’s awesome publicity, not just for ECU, but for Pirate Nation and for the American Conference,” he said. With more national eyes on the program, he wants the team’s brand of tough, competitive football to be front and center.

As the media session wrapped up, Harrell’s message was clear: last season’s finish was just the beginning. The new-look Pirates are young, hungry, and determined to make their mark. Whether it’s Houser running the offense, Craig and Wilson flying around on defense, or a new face stepping up, ECU’s got the pieces to compete.

“We’ve got to grow and get better every day,” Harrell said. “That’s what it’s all about.”

For Pirate Nation, it sounds like the fire Harrell lit isn’t going out anytime soon.