ECU tops Norfolk State in season opener, 42-3

by | Sep 1, 2024

New faces in vital places laid the groundwork Saturday night as an inspired East Carolina football team took a big step to putting the 2023 season in the rear-view mirror by dominating FCS visitor Norfolk State 42-3 at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.

With transfer quarterback Jake Garcia directing new offensive coordinator John David Baker‘s up-tempo offense, the Pirates churned out 506 total yards, surpassing their yardage for any game during last year’s season.

NEXT OPPONENT: Old Dominion falls short at South Carolina

Despite six turnovers and seven penalties, the Pirates easily delivered head coach Mike Houston his first season-opening win in six seasons at the helm. Much of that thanks goes to a smothering defense that yielded just 114 total yards and forced 12 punts. 

“Six turnovers, which means we gave them six extra possessions,” Houston said. “It’s staggering the score is what it was. I think that shows, number one, how good we can be on that side of the ball. But number two, I think that shows you if we can get that corrected, we’ve got a chance to be a pretty good ballclub.”

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