2017 West Virginia Opponent Sneak Peek: East Carolina
East Carolina (Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV Sept 9 12:00 PM ET)
Series Record: WVU leads 18-3
Last Meeting: 2009 -- WVU 35 ECU 20
2016 Record: 3-9, 1-7 AAC
Coach: Scottie Montgomery (3-9, entering second season; 3-9 overall)
East Carolina’s Rivals Class Rankings : No. 92 (2013), No. 75 (2014), No. NA (2015), No. 78 (2016), No. 71 (2017)
West Virginia’s Rivals Class Rankings: No. 27 (2013), No. 40 (2014), No. 33 (2015), No. 38 (2016), No. 51 (2017)
2016 Summary
The Pirates suffered one injury after another in 2016 and limped their way to a 3-9 season. As the injuries grew the defense was especially troublesome and gave up an average of 51 points in the the last four games, all losses.
Wide receiver Zay Jones was among the nation's best with 158 receptions and 1,746 yard.
The defense finished No. 100 nationally and gave up 228.5 rushing yards per game.
The one highlight of the season was knocking off P5 rival North Carolina State.
Projected Starters Returning
Offensive starters returning: 6
Defensive starters returning: 7
Top returnees: DB Travon Simmons, DL Kiante Anderson, LB Jordan Williams, WR Quay Johnson, WR Jimmy Williams
Top News and Questions Heading Into Fall
Gardner Minshew was named the starting quarterback but ECU's offense is looking for his backup and that may come from Duke transfer Thomas Sirk.
Two new assistant coaches join the team. Brandon Lynch will coach the defensive back while Robert Prunty will oversee the defensive line.
Three incoming transfers could make an impact as well. Running back Tyshon Dye arrives from Clemson, defensive lineman Gaelin Elmore from Minnesota and Sirk from Duke.
Defensive coordinator Kenwick Thompson is still laying the groundwork for the switch to a 4-2-5 defensive scheme.
2017 Outlook
Minshew is expected to take over at quarterback after gaining substantial experience last season passing for 1,347 yards and 16 touchdowns while being intercepted only four times on 202 attempts. The junior college passer should allow ECU to move the ball along with two talented receivers in Williams and Johnson.
On defense the Pirates return their top tackler in linebacker Jordan Williams as well impressive defensive lineman Kiante Anderson.
The offense should improve over the 27 points per game average in 2016 and the defense has nowhere to go but up. The new four-man front on defense should help the Pirates against the run.
Will West Virginia Be Favored, The Underdog Or Is It A Toss-Up?
West Virginia should be a heavy favorite in this one. After a 3-9 season in 2016 things are not looking a lot better for the Pirates in 2017.
The Mountaineer offense has a chance to light up the scoreboard and the defense should prove to be too much for the ECU offense that lacks both depth and experience.
It will be interesting to see how West Virginia performs coming off the big opening season game with rival Virginia Tech.