ECU-BYU Kickoff Set for Prime Time on ESPN2

East Carolina will get the prime-time treatment when it welcomes BYU to Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m. ET. The non-conference clash will air nationally on ESPN2, per an announcement from the American Conference and ESPN on Monday.

Series History

This will be the fourth all-time meeting between ECU and BYU, and the Cougars’ first trip to Greenville since 2017. The Pirates hold a 2-1 edge in the series, winning both matchups under Kalani Sitake (2017 and 2022). BYU’s lone victory came back in 2015 during the Ruffin McNeill era.

Scouting BYU

The Cougars arrive just outside the Top 25 after opening 2-0, outscoring Portland State and Stanford by a combined 96-3. They’ll come to Greenville off an early-season bye week.

• QB Bear Bachmeier (Fr.): 272 passing yards, 3 TDs, 0 INT; also 58 yards rushing with 3 TDs.

• RB LJ Martin: 241 rushing yards (9.3 YPC).

• WR Chase Roberts: 6 receptions, 88 yards.

• Defense: 17 TFLs and 5 sacks in two games.

Sitake, now in his 10th year at BYU, owns a 74-43 record and guided the Cougars to an 11-2 mark last season, including 7-2 in Big 12 play.

Pirates’ Outlook

East Carolina split its first two contests of 2025 — falling 24-17 at NC State before cruising past Campbell, 56-3, in the home opener.

• QB Katin Houser: 680 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INT through two games.

• Defense: allowing just 287 yards per game and 4.3 yards per play.

Dowdy-Ficklen should be rocking for ECU’s chance to knock off a Big 12 opponent under the lights.