The Harrell Huddle: Pirates Blast FAU 42-3, Hit Eight Wins for First Time Since 2014
East Carolina walked into Saturday with a challenge: respond to the embarrassment of the week before and finish the regular season strong. The Pirates didn’t just respond; they absolutely unloaded on FAU, dominating 42-3 and looking like a team refusing to let one bad week define their season.
In a game where the energy was obvious from the first snap, ECU handled its business, punched an explosive offense in the mouth, and secured its eighth win of the season, something the program hasn’t done in 10 years. It was the perfect reset heading into bowl season.
Opening Statement
"Great day for the Pirates. Win number eight. Just so proud of our young men in that locker room, and told them this morning they are special each as individuals, but what makes them really special is the way they come together for them to be a team this year. Eight wins is the most since 2014, six wins in the conference, the first time we've ever done that in the history of American Conference. Back to back bowl games, chance to go win two bowl games in a row. And just super proud of these seniors the way they battled over the last 17 games, or whatever it is. What a good day of responding. We talked about it all week, how we respond in life is the type of man we are, and certainly the men in our locker room did a great job of that and have done a great job of it all year. Didn't expect anything less, and just the energy they brought today was exceptional. We talked about, it's an atmosphere where we're gonna have to do that. And they did that from the get go and mashed the gas in the first half, and did a really good job."
Setting the Tone Early
"I really credit our coaches, just every one of those guys, Dyrell Roberts, Rico Zackery… all those guys, just the energy they bring. We talk about, they're still 19-22 years old, and they do a great job of it. But just us as coaches, we got to set the tempo, and I thought those guys on the sideline did a great job of that. Our players responded to that, and we just took it from there. And it was really good to see, especially after last week, coming off a disappointment and really just jumping on it from the get-go today."
And oh, they jumped on it. The Pirates led 28-0 before FAU knew what was happening.
A 58-Point Gut Punch to a 3-Point Clampdown
"Yeah, we closed the chapter from last week and moved on to the next week. That's exactly what they did. We were all pissed off and upset about last week, and it was just, 'Hey, let's go. Let's go respond to this thing and do it the right way.' And these for these seniors to finish their last regular season game with a win, and what they've meant to this program, it is pretty special."
Harrell on the Defensive Masterclass
"I think Zach Kittley is one of the best offensive minds in college football. I think their quarterback, he's a heck of a player. Obviously, one of the top passers in all of college football. Their receiver has got 100 catches, and is a big time football player. And for our defense to go out and play that way today is pretty special. And the three points they got was really on our punt team, and that punt team is on me, but I thought they did a really good job of just consistently keeping the ball in front of them, much better tackling today and then creating the turnovers, I thought was pretty special."
The Moment With Katin Houser
"I owe Katin everything. Pirate Nation owes Katin a lot, like way he plays his tail off the passion he has for this game, the passion he has for Pirate Nation is unbelievable, and we just all got to keep matching that every single day, and we'll be okay."
Desirrio Riles Breaks Out
"Yeah, I told him the grass - I thought we had better grass in the Sunshine State than this, and he made a joke. But I think just watching Desirrio play, him and Jayvontay Conner all season long, you knew, hey, at some point they're gonna have a breakout game. We got so many weapons out there. It doesn't have to be the same guy. Got Yannick back in the mix, but didn't really get the ball his way a lot today, but those tight ends, got it to Desirrio, and he made some big plays, and JC as well. So really proud of those guys."
ECU’s tight ends feasted. Riles might’ve had his “I’m here” moment.
What This Win Means Moving Forward
"It just gives you good energy and a good vibe and good juice going into bowl season to go get win number nine, and get the back to back bowl wins for this program."