East Carolina University (ECU) is gearing up to host Tulsa in their fourth and final Thursday night game of the season on ESPN. This matchup marks the 19th meeting between the two teams, with the series currently tied at nine wins each. Tulsa holds a slight edge in Greenville, boasting a 5-4 record while having won two of the last three contests since 2015. The game has been themed as “Night of the Boneyard/Paint It Black,” sponsored by Optimum.
Blake Harrell, the Pirates’ head coach, is now in his sixth season with the program. He was officially appointed as the 23rd head coach on November 27, 2024, after serving as the interim coach and defensive coordinator since January 2020. Under Harrell’s leadership, the Pirates have shown marked improvement, culminating in a 26-21 victory over NC State in the 2024 Go Bowling Military Bowl, which was their first win against a Power 4 team since 2018. Harrell’s current record stands at 8-4, positioning him second in most wins and winning percentage among ECU head coaches after the first 12 games.
As of now, ECU is juggling a record of 3-3 this season with a 1-1 mark in American Athletic Conference play. The Pirates have shown competitive prowess, having won three of their last five games, and demonstrate a promising trend with a strong offensive performance, scoring an average of 38.2 points per game over the last six outings in 2024. This included a historic four consecutive games with over 500 yards of total offense.
Looking back at the series history, ECU and Tulsa have been evenly matched since their first encounter in 1984, with each team claiming victory equally. However, last year’s victory helped the Pirates halt a four-game losing streak against the Golden Hurricane, positioning them to assert their dominance in what’s been a rivalry filled with tight contests.
ECU’s performance at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium has also been noteworthy. The Pirates’ all-time record at the venue is 207-121, with significant wins marking multiple milestones in the stadium’s history. The team currently boasts a 2-1 home record this season, reflecting a solid trend following their four wins at home last year.
In addition, ECU has shown an impressive capability in taking care of the ball, ranking 20th nationally in turnover margin, an aspect that is crucial for their success moving forward this season. With a schedule favorable for future momentum and the potential for continued growth, ECU looks forward to making a strong statement against Tulsa, fostering hopes for an exciting season ahead.