East Carolina coach Blake Harrell didn’t analyze the 30-17 overtime loss at Alabama-Birmingham in depth in opening remarks at his news conference Monday. It was a disappointing and frustrating outcome as the Pirates had a 17-9 lead with UAB at its 4-yard line with 1:37 left in regulation. It could be said that what a… [ More… ]
Recent News & Features

BLACKBEARD'S ALLEY VIDEOCommercial Appeal beat writer Jonah Dylan
Watch this episode of “Blackbeard’s Alley” hosted by Bubba Rosenbaum and featuring Memphis Commercial Appeal reporter Jonah Dylan. They discuss the season to date and preview the Thursday night primetime matchup between the Memphis Tigers (5–2, 2–1) and East Carolina (3–3, 1–1) at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium (7:30 p.m., ESPN2). SportsCenter on Campus will broadcast… [ More… ]
Web Roundup
GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUPTuesday, October 20, 2026
Gilreath and Huff Receive Weekly Conference Honors… Dietrich Named American Conference Goalkeeper Of The Week, Ridge Earns Honorable Mention…Brewers-Rays will produce a first-time champion, and maybe the first all-indoor World Series

FOOTBALL NEWSAmerican scoreboard, highlights & schedule
Here’s a summary of Week 7 scores and notable performances in the American Conference and a look at the standings and schedule heading into Week 8. WEEK 7 SCOREBOARD Thursday, October 15 UAB 30, East Carolina 17* (ESPN) Friday, October 16 Tulane 31, Memphis 17* (ESPN) Saturday, October 17 Army 56, Florida Atlantic 24* (CBSSN)… [ More… ]

FOOTBALL NEWSBlazers come back to top ECU in overtime
BIRMINGHAM — Alabama-Birmingham took a stunning 30-17 American Conference win in overtime over visiting East Carolina on Thursday night. The Blazers drove from their 4-yard line with 1:37 left to tie the score at 17 on a 17-yard pass from Ryder Burton to Bam McReynolds and a 2-point conversion carry by Burton. UAB had the… [ More… ]

Game Day ForecastClear skies at UAB
East Carolina plays at Alabama-Birmingham tonight at 7:30 p.m., Eastern time, on ESPN. From a high of 89 in the afternoon, the temperature is expected to be 76 degrees at kickoff with clear skies, 74 percent humidity and wind from the south at one mile per hour. By the completion of the American Conference contest,… [ More… ]

Al Myatt & Kevin MonroeBonesville Pregame Show
Join Al Myatt and Kevin Monroe for the Bonesville Pregame Show as they look ahead to East Carolina’s short-week American Conference challenge at Alabama-Birmingham. They touch on performances that stood out in the Pirates’ Saturday homecoming win over Rice and preview the primetime Thursday night matchup with the Blazers at Protective Stadium (7:30 p.m., ESPN).… [ More… ]

VIEW FROM THE EASTRay Ray, T.J. lead the way
Production from receiver Ray Ray Joseph Jr. and running back T.J. Engleman Jr. was instrumental for East Carolina as the Pirates opened American Conference play on Saturday with a 28-12 win over visiting Rice. Joseph, a transfer from Miami of Florida, had six catches for 68 yards with two touchdowns. He caught a 6-yard TD… [ More… ]

COLLEGE SPORTS NEWSAmerican bringing JMU aboard as full member
The league’s Board of Directors voted unanimously Monday to bring James Madison into the American Conference as a full member, with the Dukes set to begin competition no later than July 1, 2028. The move followed a formal application from JMU and a lengthy due-diligence review that examined everything from academic and institutional fit to… [ More… ]

FOOTBALL NEWSAmerican scoreboard, highlights & schedule
Here’s a summary of Week 6 scores and notable performances in the American Conference and a look at the standings and schedule heading into Week 7. WEEK 6 SCOREBOARD Thursday, October 8 Texas-San Antoinio 31, South Florida 24* (ESPN) Saturday, October 3 Army 20, Tulane 17* (CBSSN) East Carolina 28, Rice 12* (ESPN+) North Texas… [ More… ]

INSIDE GAME DAYPirates surge past Rice in American opener
GREENVILLE — Rice introduced some doubt about East Carolina making a successful start in its American Conference opener on Saturday at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. The Owls took a 9-7 lead with 12:47 left in the third quarter on a 23-yard scoring run by Tyvonn Byars. Rice maintained the advantage until Emory Williams connected with Ray Ray… [ More… ]

Game Day ForecastKickoff moved to 1 p.m.
East Carolina’s first American Conference game of the season against Rice has been moved to a 1 p.m. kickoff due to the forecast of rain as the afternoon progresses. The contest was originally scheduled for a 4 p.m. start. The forecast at 1 p.m. is calling for 72 degrees and cloudy skies with 71 percent… [ More… ]

Al Myatt & Kevin MonroeBonesville Pregame Show
Join Al Myatt and Kevin Monroe for the Bonesville Pregame Show as they look ahead to East Carolina’s American Conference opener against Rice. They touch on performances that stood out in the Pirates’ rout of N.C. Central and discuss the opportunity for injured players to heal during the bye week before pivoting to a preview… [ More… ]

BLACKBEARD'S ALLEY VIDEORice Owls football voice J.P. Heath
Watch this episode of “Blackbeard’s Alley” hosted by Bubba Rosenbaum and featuring Rice play by play announcer J.P. Heath. They discuss the season to date and preview the Saturday American Conference matchup between the Owls and East Carolina at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium (4 p.m., ESPN+).

VIEW FROM THE EASTRice makes first trip to Greenville since 2009
East Carolina coach Blake Harrell noted that Rice would be playing in Greenville for the first time since 2009 when the Pirates open their 2026 American Conference schedule at home against the Owls on Saturday at 4 p.m. (ESPN+). Rice was among six schools to join the American from Conference USA on July 1, 2023.… [ More… ]

FOOTBALL NEWSAmerican scoreboard, highlights & schedule
Here’s a summary of Week 5 scores and notable performances in the American Conference and a look at the standings and schedule heading into Week 6. WEEK 5 SCOREBOARD Thursday, October 1 North Texas 45, Tulsa 44 (OT)* (ESPN) Saturday, October 3 Memphis 59, Charlotte 8* (ESPN+) Air Force 14, Navy 9 (CBS) UAB 33,… [ More… ]