BYU Football is heading to Greenville, North Carolina, to face the ECU Pirates
It’s time for a road game, Cougar Nation. BYU heads to Greenville to face East Carolina University in the Cougars’ first road game of the year. BYU won its first two games of the year by a combined score of 96-3, and it looks good. Of course, ECU will be a tougher test for BYU than Portland State and Stanford, especially since it is a road game.
Opponent Information: East Carolina University
East Carolina University is located in Greenville, North Carolina. Their mascot is the Pirates, and their colors are old gold and Royal Purple. Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. They are in the American Conference (AAC) and finished fifth last year. The Pirates are 2-1 in 2025, beating Campbell and Coastal Carolina, but falling to NC State. Last year, the Pirates won the Military Bowl against the same NC State side 26-21.
ECU is coached by Blake Harrell and leads the all-time series 2-1. BYU’s only win came in Provo in 2015, winning 45-38. This was the first time these two teams met. East Carolina won 33-17 in Greenville and 27-24 in Provo, on a last-second field goal. East Carolina is going strong, putting up big numbers, winning by a combined score of 94-3.
The Pirates are led offensively by quarterback Katin Houser. He has a pass completion rate of 71.6% for 973 yards and five touchdowns. East Carolina balances a lethal offensive attack with a strong defense. BYU’s offense will have to work hard, while the defense will need to stay strong. BYU’s defense is really going to be tested, and they must stay strong.
BYU has a big test awaiting it in Greenville, North Carolina. Freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier will need to focus. BYU needs to trust its QB and not let nerves settle in too much. The Cougars need to let the quarterback learn and grow in an environment like this and get him ready for Big 12 play. This is a good game to get him some real experience in a smaller stadium with less on the line.
BYU will have revenge on its mind as it travels to North Carolina for a Saturday evening game. They lost on a field goal in Provo three years ago, and Cougar Nation has not forgotten. BYU will need to stay disciplined and not let the Pirates get in their heads. It is a night where payback is in the offering, but BYU will need to focus and execute. BYU has a chance to start Big 12 undefeated, and this is big.
