The East Carolina Pirates have been seeking an offensive spark.
Down each offensive starter from 2025 and their coordinator, the Pirates struggled shifting the ball throughout the first three weeks of the season. In Week 4 in opposition to FCS competitors, ECU made a change at quarterback to Emory Williams which sparked the unit.
And the flame remained ignited even after a bye week. Williams remained QB1 and led the Pirates’ finest offensive displaying in opposition to an FBS opponent this 12 months. ECU was topic to a sluggish begin, however the Pirates turned on the burners within the late third and early fourth quarters to upend Rice 28-12 of their convention opener.
East Carolina outgained Rice, 376-233, as Williams threw for 143 yards and two touchdowns, whereas working again TJ Engleman Jr. exploded for a season-high 136 dashing yards and a rating — his second consecutive recreation exceeding 120. Rounding out the star offensive trio was Ray Ray Joseph who notched his first two landing receptions as a Pirate on a 6-catch, 68-yard outing.
The Pirates established a 7-0 lead on their second drive of the sport, one which traveled almost the complete size of the sphere at 97 yards. However the late first quarter and full second quarter have been outlined by punts and turnovers on downs, as Rice’s protection — which shut out UTSA within the second half seven days prior — traveled effectively to Greenville.
Because of the defensive help, Rice’s offense lastly manufactured its first lead of the competition with 12:47 remaining within the third quarter. Working again Tyvonn Byars broke free for 2 explosive runs on the identical drive, ending ultimately zone with a 23-yard landing dash. Byars, who posted a career-high 111 dashing yards, handed the Owls a 9-7 benefit — which remained at 9-7 resulting from a blocked further level.
That particular groups play swung the momentum of the sport. ECU responded with a methodical 17-play, 75-yard drive, ending with one in all Joseph’s two landing receptions. Then within the early fourth quarter, the Pirates put the sport out of attain in a 90-second span. Engleman ran in a 43-yard landing on the primary play after a punt. Two performs later, ECU defensive finish JD Lampley deflected a cross on the line of scrimmage, and Julien Davis secured an interception. And three performs after that, Williams recorded a 12-yard dashing landing, immediately flipping a 9-7 deficit right into a 28-9 benefit.
Lampley was one in all many defenders with a productive day for the Pirates. East Carolina, which entered this matchup ranked second nationally with 9.8 tackles per recreation, registered 12. Your complete Pirates protection lived within the backfield in opposition to the Rice choice assault as Crews Legislation, Kevon Merrell Jr., and Kamaurri McKinley every produced 1.5 tackles for loss within the victory.
One attention-grabbing statistical quirk on this recreation: just one Rice participant secured a reception. The Owls’ passing recreation completed 4-of-14 for 69 yards, and all 4 receptions have been courtesy of huge receiver Jordan Clark, who stepped up in an offense disadvantaged of a number of key working backs and receivers.
Rice (1-5, 0-2 American) now rides a five-game dropping streak. The Owls have been inside one rating within the fourth quarter of every of their final 4 losses to Western Michigan (4-2), Fresno State (4-2), UTSA (5-1), and East Carolina (3-2), however the Owls fell simply wanting all 4 opponents. Rice goals to snap its longest in-season dropping streak since 2019 subsequent Saturday when it hosts Tulsa, which has dropped three in a row.
East Carolina (3-2, 1-0 American) now rides a three-game successful streak. The Pirates overcame their sluggish begin by rattling off three consecutive victories, and now they’re 11-3 in convention matchups beneath Blake Harrell. ECU goals to maintain the momentum on a brief week. It travels to UAB on Thursday for its first recreation in opposition to the Blazers since 2013, when each packages have been members of Convention USA.