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East Carolina Football: Preview, predictions for Pirates’ 2019 season

By John Scimeca

NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 10: Holton Ahlers #12 of the East Carolina Pirates celebrates a touchdown during the first half against the Tulane Green Wave at Yulman Stadium on November 10, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 10: Holton Ahlers #12 of the East Carolina Pirates celebrates a touchdown during the first half against the Tulane Green Wave at Yulman Stadium on November 10, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 10: Holton Ahlers #12 of the East Carolina Pirates throws the ball during the first half against the Tulane Green Wave at Yulman Stadium on November 10, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 10: Holton Ahlers #12 of the East Carolina Pirates throws the ball during the first half against the Tulane Green Wave at Yulman Stadium on November 10, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Previewing the offense

East Carolina is expected to run a spread shotgun featuring Holton Ahlers front and center. Last year’s passing attack, including receivers Deondre Farrier and Tahj Deans, racked up 284.8 yards per game, good for second-best in the American Athletic Conference.

The ground game, though, was not up to the same standard as the Pirates’ aerial attack last year. ECU will replace two starters on the left side of the offensive line, and junior running back Darius Pinnix appears to have done enough to stand out this past spring to earn the starting nod.

With continued development from Ahlers under a new coaching staff, the Pirates should improve on an anemic scoring output (22.8 points per game, 108th in the nation) from 2018.

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