East Carolina Pirates News

Ray Ray Joseph Jr. - Paces receiving corps in win Joseph tallied 10 receptions (on 12 targets) for 141 yards during Saturday's 42-9 win versus North Carolina Central.

Impact Joseph emerged as Emory Williams' top target Saturday, hauling in double-digit receptions for the first time this season. North Carolina Central's secondary had no answer for the wideout as he paced the team by a wide margin in both catches and yards. It is worth noting that Jeremiah Melvin (back) and Brock Spalding (back) did not suit up, which allowed for increased targets. Regardless, it was a highly promising performance for Joseph, who has an opportunity to solidify himself as a staple in the passing attack.

21 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

TJ Engleman Jr. - Erupts for three TDs in blowout win Engleman totaled 10 carries for 129 yards and two touchdowns and reeled in all two targets for 33 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 42-9 victory versus North Carolina Centr...

Impact Engleman started in the backfield for the second straight game with Ashton Gray (undisclosed) still recovering from an injury. The running back was dominant against North Central Carolina, recording 162 total yards and three touchdowns. He has now put together back-to-back productive starts, making a strong case to carve out a shared role once Gray returns.

21 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Emory Williams - Shines in start Williams was 25-for-36 passing for 341 yards, three touchdowns and one interception during Saturday's 42-9 win versus North Carolina Central.

Impact It had been a long time since Williams last earned a start under center, with his previous opportunity coming back in 2023 at Miami. The quarterback lost the competition to Mitch Griffis during fall camp and had been waiting for an opening ever since. He was tasked with facing an FBS team with a lot of pressure to perform well, and he stepped up to the occasion, tossing for three touchdowns and over 300 yards for the first time in his career. After his performance, his starting spot should be secured, and an upcoming bye gives him more time to earn extra reps with the first-team offense.

21 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Mitch Griffis - Shines in first start Griffis was 1-for-2 passing for zero yards during Saturday's 42-9 win versus North Carolina Central.

21 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

East Carolina scores 6 TDs in first half to cruise past North Carolina Central 42-9

Emory Williams threw three touchdown passes and TJ Engleman Jr. accounted for three scores, and East Carolina rolled past North Carolina Central 42-9

2 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

How to watch North Carolina Central vs East Carolina: Live stream NCAA College Football, TV channel The North Carolina Central Eagles continue their road swing Saturday when they make the short trip to Greenville to take on the East Carolin...

2 DAYS AGO • THEBIGLEAD.COM

Jeremiah Melvin - Close to returning Melvin (back) is close to returning, and he would've played if Saturday's game against North Carolina Central had been a championship game, according to 94.3 The Game.

Impact Melvin is trending in the right direction and should be back on the field soon. Based on the latest developments, it wouldn't be shocking if he can play against Rice on Oct. 10 after the bye week.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Ashton Gray - Close to returning Head coach Blake Harrell said Gray (undisclosed) is close to returning to action for East Carolina, per 94.3 The Game.

Impact Gray suffered an injury against Old Dominion in Week 3 and was scheduled to undergo an MRI. It appears that the running back is progressing well, considering Harrell's comments. In his stead, TJ Engleman has stepped into a larger role in the backfield. The running back will aim to return against Rice on Oct. 10, utilizing the upcoming bye week to continue recovering.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Landon Sides - Multiple receptions in return Sides (hamstring) logged two receptions for 18 yards during Saturday's 42-9 win against North Carolina Central.

Impact Sides logging multiple receptions in his first game for East Carolina is a promising start, even if he did so against a non-FBS team. It would not be surprising if the Pirates expect a lot from him, knowing that he thrived not only for his previous team but also in American Conference play. Last season, despite scoring zero touchdowns, Sides still made a decent impression by recording 24 receptions for 322 yards, 13.4 averaged per catch.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Jeremiah Melvin - Out Saturday Melvin (back) is out for Saturday's game against North Carolina Central, per Stephen Igoe of 247Sports.com.

Impact Melvin is dealing with a back injury, and it appears to still be a problem as he will not suit up Saturday. The wideout was breaking out as a reliable target in the Pirates' passing attack, but his momentum will be put on hold. He has an upcoming bye week, giving him extra time to recover and potentially return Oct. 10 against conference foe Rice.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Emory Williams - Starting vs. North Carolina Central Williams will start at quarterback against North Carolina Central on Saturday, per 247Sports.

Impact Williams will draw the start under center Saturday after Mitch Griffis has struggled to begin the season. Both quarterbacks competed during fall camp for the starting role, but Griffis ultimately won the job as the initial starter. Williams will get his first chance under center as a starter after handling backup duties previously with Miami. The quarterback saw limited action in previous weeks this year, completing 6 of 10 passes for 45 yards.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Mitch Griffis - Not starting Saturday Griffis is not starting in Saturday's game against North Carolina Central, 247Sports reports.

Impact Griffis will handle backup duties as Emory Williams will get the starting nod under center. The senior quarterback has completed 53.8 percent of his passes for 425 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions across three appearances.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Jeremiah Melvin - Dealing with back injury East Carolina head coach Blake Harrell said Melvin has been dealing with back stiffness, which is why he didn't play against Old Dominion, 94.3 The Game reports.

Impact Melvin's absence from the Pirates' third game of the season after a hot start is now clearer. The starting wide receiver will aim to return to the field for this Saturday's game against NC Central, but the severity of his injury could keep him sidelined through the weekend.

SEPTEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Ashton Gray - Will undergo MRI East Carolina head coach Blake Harrell said Gray (undisclosed) will undergo an MRI on Monday, per 94.3 The Game.

Impact Gray went on to say that Gray played against Old Dominion this past Saturday after suffering the injury that will lead to an MRI. The starting running back's availability moving forward is contingent on the results of the scan.

SEPTEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Emory Williams - Sees snaps against Old Dominion Williams was 5-for-7 passing for 22 yards during Saturday's 20-17 victory versus Old Dominion. He also had five rushes for negative one yard.

Impact East Carolina is still sorting out its quarterback situation after Williams saw snaps under center in the first half. He seemingly failed to lock down the job, however, as Mitch Griffis took over once again near the end of the second quarter and finished out the game despite a quiet showing. With conference play right around the corner, the Pirates could continue to utilize both signal-callers moving forward, though Griffis remains the starter.

SEPTEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Mitch Griffis - Manages close win amid struggles Griffis completed 4 of 12 passes for 58 yards during Saturday's 20-17 victory over Old Dominion. He also had six rushes for 22 yards.

Impact Griffis led East Carolina to its first win of the season, but it wasn't a great day for the quarterback, as he completed only four passes and threw for fewer than 100 yards. Emory Williams saw some action under center in the first half, but Griffis handled the duties by himself in the second half. If the lead signal-caller continues to struggle, he could lose his starting spot, especially with conference play approaching.

SEPTEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Kyler Pearson - Active in Week 3 Pearson (foot) participated in Saturday's 20-17 win against Old Dominion.

Impact Pearson is fully healthy after dealing with a foot ailment, returning a punt for seven yards during Saturday's game. The wideout wasn't involved in the passing game, as it appears he will be used primarily on special teams.

SEPTEMBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Duncanson's pick-6 ignites East Carolina in 20-17 victory against Old Dominion

Ayden Duncanson and Ja’Keith Hamilton each scored touchdowns as East Carolina beat Old Dominion 20-17 on Saturday

SEPTEMBER 20 • Associated Press

How to watch East Carolina vs Old Dominion: Live stream NCAA College Football, TV channel The East Carolina Pirates travel to Norfolk on Saturday to face the Old Dominion Monarchs at S.B. Ballard Stadium, with kickoff set for 6:00...

SEPTEMBER 19 • THEBIGLEAD.COM

Landon Sides - Sidelined again Saturday Sides (hamstring) remains out for Saturday's game versus Old Dominion, Stephen Igoe of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Sides wasn't a full participant in practice earlier in the week, so it's not too surprising he'll miss out on another contest as he continues to recover from injury. The Pirates have another non-conference matchup on tap next week versus North Carolina Central, and a bye week after that, so there's a chance the staff will take precautions to ensure the wideout is healthy for conference play when it starts Oct. 10.

SEPTEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Brock Spalding - Could be sidelined until conference play Spalding (back) may he held out until conference play, which begins with the Pirates' Oct. 10 clash with Rice, per Stephen Igoe of 247Sports.

Impact Spalding has yet to play this season, and there's reportedly a chance he could miss the next two games for the Pirates as well. The wideout, who reeled in 42 catches for 554 yards and three scores last fall for East Carolina, will be a big boost for this passing game once he returns, but that still might not be for another two games.

SEPTEMBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Landon Sides - Not practicing fully Sides (hamstring) was working off to the side at East Carolina's practice on Tuesday, per Stephen Igoe of 247Sports.

Impact Sides still has yet to play this season, and he's clearly still hampered by his hamstring injury as he's not yet a full practice participant for the Pirates. He remains questionable for Saturday at Old Dominion, but he's certainly not trending in the right direction ahead of Week 3.

SEPTEMBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Ashton Gray - Heavy workload in defeat Gray logged 16 carries for 99 yards and caught one of two targets for 9 yards during Saturday's 27-24 loss against Appalachian State.

Impact Gray redeemed himself after an underwhelming Week 1, falling just shy of the century mark. The running back handled a heavy workload on the Pirates' second offensive possession before being stopped short of the goal line, allowing Michael Allen to punch in a one-yard score. He did outperform Allen (4-12-1), positioning himself as the lead back for East Carolina.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Jeremiah Melvin - Paces receiving corps Melvin compiled seven receptions (on 12 targets) for 94 yards during Saturday's 27-24 defeat against Appalachian State.

Impact Melvin led the receiving corps with seven receptions and 94 yards, emerging as Mitch Griffis' favorite target. The wideout has seized his opportunities to begin the season with Landon Sides (hamstring) and Brock Spalding (back) remaining sidelined. Melvin should remain heavily involved while the receiving corps deals with injuries.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Mitch Griffis - Throws two touchdowns in loss Griffis completed 21 of 37 passes for 230 yards, two touchdowns and one interception during Saturday's 27-24 loss against Appalachian State. He also had 11 rushes for 52 yards.

Impact It wasn't a great game in terms of efficiency for Griffis, but he was still able to throw two touchdowns. The quarterback doubled his passing attempts from Week 1 and recorded 52 rushing yards, which was second most on the team. His blunder of the game was a reckless throw in the fourth quarter while scrambling to his right, resulting in a toe-tap interception near the sideline. Griffis once again couldn't lead his team to a win, though he put forth a valiant offensive effort Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

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East Carolina scores 6 TDs in first half to cruise past North Carolina Central 42-9

Duncanson's pick-6 ignites East Carolina in 20-17 victory against Old Dominion