Previewing NC State’s Opponent: ECU

NC State will play East Carolina in the Military Bowl today at 5:45 on ESPN. Before they take the field, here’s a preview of the Pirates.

ECU is 7-5 heading into the contest.

Wins

Norfolk St.
ODU
UTSA
Temple
FAU
Tulsa
North Texas

Losses

App St.
Liberty
Charlotte
Army
Navy

ECU’s AAC Stat Rankings 

Scoring Offense: 32.5 (4th)
Scoring Defense: 27.8 (6th)
Total Offense: 433.3 (4th)
Total Defense: 403.6 (8th)
Rushing Offense: 159.6 (9th)
Rushing Defense: 167.8 (8th)
Passing Offense: 273.8 (3rd)
Passing Defense: 235.8 (9th)
Sacks By: 20 (9th)
Interceptions: 13 (4th)
Fumbles Forced: 9 (8th)

Since taking over as the starting Quarterback in Week 8, Sophomore Katin Houser has been impressive. After Junior Jake Garcia was benched after the first 6 weeks, Houser stepped in and showed he was more than up to the challenge. Houser is the highest graded offensive player on ECU according to PFF, with a grade of 78.4. He has completed 60.6% of his passes for 1,859 yards and 18 touchdowns (9 int’s), with a Passing Efficiency Rating of 152.1.

Senior Running Back Rahjai Harris is a force, rushing for 946 yards and 10 touchdowns this season, averaging 5.0 yards per carry.

Former NC State Wide Receiver Anthony Smith is the Pirates’ leading receiver, with 767 yards receiving. He also has 38 receptions and 6 touchdowns.

Senior Wide Receiver Winston Wright Jr. leads ECU in receptions (54) and touchdown receptions (8), and also has 556 yards.

Sophomore Wide Receiver Chase Sowell was also impressive this season, collecting 678 yards receiving, averaging 19.9 yards per catch. Unfortunately for the Pirates, Sowell entered the Transfer Portal and committed to Iowa St. He earned 2nd Team All-AAC honors this year.

Senior Safety Omar Rogers leads the Pirates with 97 tackles, and is the highest graded player on ECU’s defense according to PFF.

The Pirates will be without their 2nd leading tackler (84). Linebacker Zakye Barker entered the Transfer Portal, and committed to SMU. He also led the team in tackles for loss (12). Barker earned 2nd Team All-AAC honors this year.

Senior Defensive Lineman Elijah Morris leads the Pirates with 4 sacks.

Defensive Backs Gavin Gibson (Jr) and Ja’Marley Riddle (Fr) both have 3 interceptions apiece, and DB Isaiah Brown-Murray (So.) leads the squad with 6 pass breakups. Brown-Murray entered the Transfer Portal, and committed to Virginia Tech.