Know the Foe: East Carolina

After losing to Tulane on Friday, Memphis will have a quick turnaround before its next game against East Carolina on Thursday. The Pirates enter the game 3-3 and will look to win their fourth straight against the Tigers.

ECU had the full week off after playing UAB last Thursday night on ESPN. The Pirates controlled most of the game, but they allowed the Blazers to score in the closing seconds to send the game into overtime.

UAB began overtime with the ball and scored before ending the game with a pick-six to win the game 30-17.

The Pirates lost their first two games against Alabama and Appalachian State before winning three straight games over Old Dominion, North Carolina Central and Rice.

Blake Harrell is in his second season as the permanent head coach after being named the interim head coach during the 2024 season. Harrell is 17-8 as ECU’s head coach and 11-4 in conference play.

Texas Tech transfer Mitch Griffis started the season as the Pirates’ starting quarterback, but he was replaced by Miami transfer Emory Williams during the game against NC Central. Williams has thrown for 655 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions, and he threw for 1126 yards, two touchdowns and an interception last week against UAB.

Miami transfer receiver Ray Ray Joseph Jr. is the team’s go-to receiver, and he has recorded 272 yards and three touchdowns on 29 receptions this season. His best game this season was a 141-yard performance against NC Central, but he finished with only five yards on four receptions last week against the Blazers.

TJ Engleman Jr. has been the best running back on the team this year, recording 490 yards and three touchdowns on 71 carries. The Pirates average 155.5 rushing yards per game this year, which ranks No. 10 in the American conference.

ECU’s defense is led by former Memphis defensive coordinator Jordon Hankins, who took several players with him from the Tigers. Crews Law, Cade Law and Myles Pollard all followed their defensive coordinator.

In the American, the Pirates rank No. 6 in scoring defense, allowing 23.8 points per game, and No. 3 in total yards allowed, giving up only 326.5 yards per game. Linebacker DJ Johnson Jr. leads the team with 42 tackles on the year.

The game will be played at 6:30 p.m. CT on Thursday, and it will be shown on ESPN2.