East Carolina Pirates News

Ashton Gray - Stuffed by Alabama defense Gray posted six carries for 15 yards during Saturday's 48-10 loss versus Alabama.

Impact Gray and fellow running backs could not get anything going Saturday, picking up just two yards overall. He tied for a team-high six carries alongside Michael Allen, as both running backs are positioned to share a co-starter role. The junior tailback is seeking redemption against Appalachian State next Saturday, where he will look to produce a more efficient game in the backfield.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Jeremiah Melvin - Hauls in lone touchdown Melvin hauled in all four targets for 60 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 48-10 defeat versus Alabama.

Impact Melvin was the only bright spot in an East Carolina offense that generated just 162 total yards. The pass catcher accounted for the team's only score Saturday, hauling in a one-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. He is a starting wideout for the Pirates, though it's worth noting that his target production was likely increased due to Landon Sides (undisclosed) and Brock Spalding (undisclosed) being ruled out Saturday.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Mitch Griffis - Struggles in ECU debut Griffis completed 10 of 16 passes for 137 yards, one touchdown and one interception during Saturday's 48-10 defeat against Alabama. He also had five rushes for one yard.

Impact Griffis transferred to East Carolina this past offseason, aiming to reclaim a starting quarterback job for the first time since 2023. He ultimately won the competition over Emory Williams but was immediately tasked with a difficult matchup against Alabama in the season opener. The quarterback attempted only 16 passes -- an unusually low total for a game where the Pirates trailed throughout -- while the ground game managed just two total yards. He was eventually pulled in the fourth quarter due to the blowout, allowing Williams to step in and complete 1 of 3 passes for 23 yards. Griffis is expected to remain under center against Appalachian State next Saturday, but another unproductive outing could put his starting job in jeopardy.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Keelon Russell shows off dual-threat ability as No. 13 Alabama handles East Carolina 48-10

Keelon Russell accounted for 335 yards and touchdown, and No. 13 Alabama opened the season with a 48-10 victory over East Carolina

3 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

How to watch Alabama vs East Carolina: Live stream NCAA College Football, TV channel The No. 13 Alabama Crimson Tide enter the season outside the top 10 of the Associated Press preseason poll for the first time since 2008 as...

3 DAYS AGO • THEBIGLEAD.COM

Michael Allen - Rushes for 15 yards in opener Allen (undisclosed) posted six carries for 15 yards during Saturday's 48-10 loss versus Alabama.

Impact Allen wasn't listed on East Carolina's initial depth chart, making his status uncertain, but the running back took the field Saturday. It was a quiet day on the ground for the Pirates as they collected a total of two rushing yards. He tied for a team-high six carries alongside Ashton Gray and will look to be a bigger contributor on the ground against Appalachian State next Saturday.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Ray Ray Joseph Jr. - Set to start opener Joseph (undisclosed) is set to start in Saturday's game at Alabama, Stephen Igoe of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Joseph is good to go for the Pirates' season opener after getting banged up during August's scrimmage. The 5-foot-11 wide receiver's starting designation could very well be due to position mate Brock Spalding (undisclosed) being inactive. Either way, Joseph will aim to build off his two catches for 25 yards with Miami last season.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Landon Sides - Out for Week 1 Sides (hamstring) is out for Saturday's game at Alabama, Stephen Igoe of 247Sports reports.

Impact Sides will not get an immediate chance to stand out for his new American Conference team. The wide receiver spent several seasons with North Texas, and his 2025 campaign culminated in his 34 receptions on 58 targets for 449 yards, 13.2 averaged per catch and all career-highs.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Brock Spalding - Will miss opener due to injury Spalding won't play in Saturday's season opener versus Alabama due to injury, 247Sports reports.

Impact Spalding is expected to be a key cog in ECU's offense during 2026, so his absence from the opener is certainly a blow, especially against a power-conference foe in Alabama. He'll instead take the day off, with another chance to take the field for his season debut next Saturday versus Appalachian State.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

2026 College Football Odds: Best Bets For ECU-Bama, SMU-FSU

Sammy P has four games on his sheet heading into the Week 1 of college football. Check out where he's laying his dough.

4 DAYS AGO • FOX SPORTS

2026 College Football Odds: Best Bets For ECU-Bama, SMU-FSU

East Carolina vs. Alabama Prediction, Odds and Key Players to Watch for College Football Week 1 The Alabama Crimson Tide open their 2026 season at home in Week 1 against the East Carolina Pirates, who are expected to be one of the bette...

6 DAYS AGO • SI.COM

Landon Sides - Tending hamstring injury Head coach Blake Harrell indicated Monday that Sides is nursing a hamstring injury ahead of Saturday's game against Alabama, 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Sides was already excluded from the team's initial depth chart ahead of Saturday's contest and these news further cloud his availability. It seems the team will be cautious with the North Texas transfer and will hope to have him back for the following matchup against Appalachian State on Sep. 12.

AUGUST 31 • ROTOWIRE

Michael Allen - Doesn't appear on Week 1 DC Allen (undisclosed) doesn't appear on the depth chart ahead of Saturday's Week 1 matchup against Alabama, according to 247Sports.com.

Impact Allen isn't listed on the depth chart, and considering he didn't participate in the Aug. 22 scrimmage, there's enough reason to be concerned about his availability for the season opener against the Crimson Tide on Saturday. As things stand now, Ashton Gray is listed as the starter on the depth chart, with TJ Engleman listed as the RB2.

AUGUST 31 • ROTOWIRE

Jeremiah Melvin - Tabbed as starter on depth chart Melvin is listed as a starter on the depth chart ahead of Saturday's Week 1 clash against Alabama, according to 247Sports.

Impact The Pirates are dealing with several potential absences on their receiving corps, including Landon Sides (hamstring), and that means Melvin could be in line to have a bigger role in the passing game. Melvin is expected to have a big role based on his mention as a starter on the latest depth chart. He didn't have a big role for Wake Forest in 2025, making just three catches for 39 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets across seven appearances.

AUGUST 31 • ROTOWIRE

Tyler Johnson - Listed as starter Saturday Johnson is listed as a starting wide receiver ahead of Saturday's matchup against Alabama, 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Johnson enters his second season with ECU and expects to be a productive contributor for the team. The senior wide receiver will hope to have his best collegiate season after totaling just seven receptions for 72 yards across seven games last year.

AUGUST 31 • ROTOWIRE

Landon Sides - Not listed on Week 1 depth chart Sides (undisclosed) is not listed on the depth chart for the Week 1 matchup against Alabama on Saturday, according to 247Sports.

Impact Sides hasn't officially been ruled out of the season opener, but not seeing him on the depth chart for this season opener is far from ideal. If Sides doesn't suit up, look for players such as Tyler Johnson, Jeremiah Melvin, Dawson Quartman and others to see more targets in the passing game.

AUGUST 31 • ROTOWIRE

TJ Engleman Jr. - Set to handle backup duties vs. Alabama Engleman is listed as the second running back on the team's depth chart ahead of Saturday's contest against the Crimson Tide, 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Englman is set to handle work behind fellow back Ashton Gray, who transferred in from North Texas during the summer. The 5-foot-9 ball-carrier totaled 59 carries for 306 yards (5.6 yards-per-carry) and one touchdown across 10 games.

AUGUST 31 • ROTOWIRE

Ashton Gray - Listed as starter on depth chart Gray is listed as the starting running back on the team's depth chart ahead of Saturday's game against Alabama, 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Gray transferred in from North Texas in search of more playing opportunity and appears to have earned himself a shot at a starting role on the offense. The junior running back totaled 58 carries for 377 yards (6.5 yards-per-carry) and five touchdowns across 10 games last season. TJ Engleman is listed as the net man up.

AUGUST 31 • ROTOWIRE

Emory Williams - Backup against Bama Williams will come off the bench during East Carolina's season opener against Alabama, though he is expected to play, per Pete Thamel of ESPN.com.

Impact Williams has been competing for the starting job with fellow quarterback Mitch Griffis throughout fall camp, and though Griffis has clearly shown enough to earn the start in the season opener, the battle appears to be ongoing as Williams will get his chance to play against the Crimson Tide. The 6-foot-5 signal caller transferred in from Miami in the offseason, where he served as the primary backup a year ago.

AUGUST 27 • ROTOWIRE

Mitch Griffis - Starting Week 1 Griffis has been named the starter for East Carolina's Week 1 matchup against Alabama, per Pete Thamel of ESPN.com.

Impact Griffis has been competing with fellow quarterback Emory Williams for the top spot throughout the offseason since transferring in from Texas Tech. Though the 6-foot signal caller has been officially named as the Week 1 starter, it seems Williams will still get his chance to make a statement as both quarterbacks are expected to play against the Crimson Tide.

AUGUST 27 • ROTOWIRE

Ray Ray Joseph Jr. - Banged up during scrimmage Joseph (undisclosed) got banged up early during Saturday's scrimmage, though the injury is not believed to be serious, per Stephen Igoe of 247Sports.com.

Impact Joseph exited Saturday's scrimmage early and was unable to return, though early indications are positive on the severity of his issue. The 5-foot-11 receiver transferred in from Miami in the offseason, where he appeared in just two games for the Hurricanes a year ago. With the news that his injury is believed to be minor, Joseph can likely still be looked at as probable for the team's season opener, barring any further setbacks.

AUGUST 23 • ROTOWIRE

Ja'Keith Hamilton - Sits out scrimmage Hamilton (undisclosed) didn't participate in Saturday's scrimmage, per Stephen Igoe of 247Sports.com.

Impact Hamilton is still dealing with the undisclosed injury he suffered during last week's scrimmage. He still has a chance to play in the team's Week 1 matchup versus Alabama and is expected to serve as a depth receiver once healthy.

AUGUST 23 • ROTOWIRE

Landon Sides - Another DNP, may be available Week 1 Sides (undisclosed) did not play Saturday's scrimmage but may be available for Week 1 at Alabama, Stephen Igoe of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Saturday marked back-to-back scrimmages Sides has sat out for East Carolina, but it is believed that he is a candidate to be available Week 1, which includes the Pirates at Alabama on Sept. 5. This is welcoming news for East Carolina, considering the Pirates will face one of college basketball's most formidable teams in recent history and having a top receiver like Sides can be a difference-maker even if the odds are against ECU. In 2025, Sides logged a career-high 449 receiving yards.

AUGUST 23 • ROTOWIRE

Michael Allen - Misses Saturday's scrimmage Allen (undisclosed) didn't participate in Saturday's scrimmage, per Stephen Igoe of 247Sports.com.

Impact Allen is battling an undisclosed injury but should still have a chance to play Week 1 versus Alabama. He transferred from Marshall earlier in the offseason and is expected to serve as East Carolina's No. 2 running back once healthy.

AUGUST 23 • ROTOWIRE

Jeremiah Melvin - Standing out in camp Melvin has been a standout performer for East Carolina in preseason camp, Stephen Igoe of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Melvin stands out due to his height, but his explosiveness and playmaking ability have also been on full display in camp. With East Carolina opening its season in two weeks, Melvin is putting himself in a position to carve out a decent role in the passing attack.

AUGUST 22 • ROTOWIRE

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Keelon Russell shows off dual-threat ability as No. 13 Alabama handles East Carolina 48-10

2026 College Football Odds: Best Bets For ECU-Bama, SMU-FSU