ECU Puts Together Its Best Game of the Season in 41–27 Win Over Tulsa
East Carolina came into Thursday night’s matchup desperate for a statement win and the Pirates finally delivered one inside Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Behind a balanced offense and a fired-up defense, ECU handled business with a 41–27 victory over Tulsa, improving to 4–3 overall and 2–1 in American Conference play.
Tulsa won the toss and elected to receive, but the Pirates’ defense set the tone immediately with a three-and-out on the opening drive. From there, ECU controlled the pace on both sides of the ball, showing the most complete performance we’ve seen from the Pirates all year.
After the win, head coach Blake Harrell summed up the mood perfectly:
“Always a good night when the Pirates win. Appreciate the fans coming out on Thursday night. We’re finally done with Thursday nights. I can’t wait to get back to playing on Saturdays.”
Offensive Explosion
It wasn’t flawless, but it was pretty close. The Pirates racked up 568 total yards of offense, and for the first time all season, everything clicked. ECU hit the perfect balance with 300 yards through the air and 268 on the ground, keeping Tulsa’s defense guessing all night.
Katin Houser had a strong command of the offense, connecting on several big plays downfield, most notably with Anthony Smith, who continues to be a deep-ball nightmare for opposing secondaries.
After the game, Smith talked about the chemistry that made those plays happen:
“I love playing with Katin,” Smith said. “He throws such a good deep ball. I love catching the deep ball. Anytime in practice I can work on the deep ball — that’s what we do.”
Houser said he felt the team’s connection starting to shine through:
“I thought we definitely came together better today,” Houser said. “Overall, I thought we played complementary football. We showed today that we can do it. I feel like I’m different when I’m here in Dowdy-Ficklen.”
On the ground, ECU finally found its rhythm with a three-headed rushing attack featuring London Montgomery, Marlon Gunn Jr., and TJ Engleman. Montgomery ripped off the longest run of the season, a 51-yard touchdown in the third quarter, finishing with 125 yards on 16 carries. Gunn added 60 yards, and Engleman chipped in 40, as the Pirates averaged a solid 5.1 yards per carry as a team.
After the game, Montgomery credited his offensive line for paving the way:
“I felt good — I was feeling it tonight,” Montgomery said. “I give it all to the offensive line. They helped me get there.”Protection up front was excellent. ECU gave up just one sack, and for the first time in weeks, didn’t turn the ball over once. There were a couple of penalties to clean up, but overall, this was the type of offensive performance Blake Harrell’s team has been searching for.
Mike Wright Shows Up Everywhere…. Even on Defense
This was the Mike Wright Jr. fans have been waiting to see: the do-it-all athlete ECU has been trying to unleash. Wright lined up at quarterback, running back, out wide, and even in the slot, giving the offense an unpredictable edge.
And yes, he even took a few snaps on defense, checking in for a handful of plays early in the game to give the crowd something to buzz about.
His final stat line didn’t jump off the page: nine rushing yards on three carries and one catch for six yards, but his energy and leadership were felt every time he stepped on the field. Wright’s versatility adds a dynamic layer to this offense, and it finally feels like the Pirates are finding creative ways to use him.
Defense Sets the Tone
The Pirates’ defense was aggressive and physical all night, setting the tone early and never backing down. ECU finished with five sacks and 10 tackles for loss, constantly collapsing the pocket and forcing Tulsa into uncomfortable downs.
Preston Carr and Rion Roseborough each recorded sacks, while Sam Dankah, Zion Wilson, and Ryheem Craig all made their presence felt at the line of scrimmage. In the secondary, Teagan Wilk again showed why he’s the emotional leader of the defense, coming up big in several key moments.
Defensive lineman Preston Carr summed up the night perfectly afterward:
“It’s amazing, man, to see the D-line get in the backfield and make plays — it’s fun. We call it having fun. When we turn loose, we’re going to find a way to get the ball.”The Pirates weren’t perfect, but they played with a confidence and edge that’s been building week by week.
Pass Defense Still a Concern
For the second straight game, ECU’s secondary had its share of struggles, especially against Tulsa tight end Brody Foley, who hauled in six passes for 126 yards. Several coverage busts led to big plays, including one where Sam Dankah got pulled up by play action, another where Ja’Marley Riddle lost his man downfield, and a third miscommunication between Teagan Wilk and Jordy Lowery that left Foley wide open.
It’s the second week in a row tight ends have hurt the Pirates, and it’s something defensive coordinator Josh Aldridge will likely address heading into the Temple game.
Keeping an Eye on Injuries
ECU entered the night already down a few key starters, including cornerback Rasheed Reason and right tackle Bryce Weaver, and the attrition didn’t stop there. Left tackle Jimarion McCrimon exited in the first half with a shoulder injury, Brock Spalding left with a hamstring issue, and Teagan Wilk took some bumps as well.
Head coach Blake Harrell said afterward he doesn’t expect any of the injuries to be long-term, but all will be monitored leading up to the Oct. 31 trip to Temple.
Jayson Tarpeh filled in at left tackle and held his own for the most part, outside of a holding flag early in the third quarter, which provided valuable in-game experience for the young lineman.
Drive Breakdown
The numbers back up how efficient ECU’s offense was:
Total Drives: 15
Scoring Drives: 7 (47%)
Average Starting Field Position: Own 29-yard line
Average Time of Possession: 1:56
Average Yards Gained per Drive: 37
Average Plays per Drive: 6
Drives of 70+ Yards: 3
Drives of 10+ Plays: 4
Drives Under 1 Minute: 6
Drive Success Rate: 76%
Touchdown Rate: 33%
It wasn’t about long, clock-draining possessions; it was about quick strikes and efficient execution.
What’s Next
The Pirates now sit above .500 for the first time since early September and seem to finally be finding their identity on both sides of the ball. They’ll have a short break before returning to action on November 1st at Temple, a key conference matchup that could help define the second half of their season.
For now, Thursday night was a reminder of what ECU can be when everything clicks — explosive, physical, and relentless.