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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 runs with 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 runs with 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) /

Schedule, predictions for 2019

  • Week 1: at NC State (Aug. 31)
  • Week 2: vs. Gardner-Webb (Sept. 7)
  • Week 3: at Navy (Sept. 14)
  • Week 4: vs. William & Mary (Sept. 21)
  • Week 5: at Old Dominion (Sept. 28)
  • Week 6: vs. Temple (Oct. 3)
  • Week 7: BYE
  • Week 8: at UCF (Oct. 19)
  • Week 9: vs. South Florida (Oct. 26)
  • Week 10: vs. Cincinnati (Nov. 2)
  • Week 11: at SMU (Nov. 9)
  • Week 12: BYE
  • Week 13: at Connecticut (Nov. 23)
  • Week 14: vs. Tulsa (Nov. 30)

The Pirates dropped their season opener to in-state foe North Carolina A&T last year and will aim to get 2019 off to a better start, though this time it’s against an ACC foe in the Wolfpack.

Despite two games against FCS opponents, the schedule for Mike Houston’s first year is a difficult one. If marked improvement occurs under his watch and if morale can hold up until the last two weeks of the season (a trip to UConn and hosting Tulsa), ECU has a decent chance to improve its win total to four games for the first time since 2015.

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Prediction: 4-8 (2-6 AAC)

How much will Mike Houston and the new coaching staff be able to harness the abilities of Holton Ahlers? This, along with the overall mindset adjustment he brings from a winning tradition at James Madison, will be Houston’s biggest test in the attempted turnaround with the Pirates this year.

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