East Carolina finished their 2011 year on an off note as they failed to reach a bowl contest and ended the year with a 4-4 record in Conference USA and 5-7 overall. The Pirates were anticipated to struggle last year though because they only had 10 starters and 30 lettermen returning. This year, head coach Ruffin McNeil will have an improved chance to achieve success because they have 15 starters and 48 lettermen coming back.
Offense:
McNeil wants to discover a replacement at quarterback after the departure of starter Dominique Davis. Davis put up great stats last year and his production will definitely be missed. But quarterbacks tend to flourish in this system and they have more than capable players prepared to step up when required in junior Rio Johnson, redshirt freshman Cody Keith and sophomore Shane Carden. All 3 players have different talent sets but the starting job likely goes to Johnson.
An injury to starting rusher Reggie Bullock derailed whatever hopes they needed to reach the bowl contest last season. Now with him returning and North Carolina transfer Hunter Furr splitting time, this unit figures to receive a massive jump.
While East Carolina loses one of their best receivers in Lance Lewis, the squad will field an intriguing receiving corps in 2012. East Carolina returns 2 nd Team Freshman All-American Justin Hardy , as well as senior Andrew Bodenheimer. Sophomore Danny Webster and Arkansas transfer Lance Ray complete the starting unit.
The offensive line was hampered with injuries last year, as 3 starters were sidelined. This could be one of the most improved units in college football. The sole starter they lose is center Doug Polochak, but backup center Josh Clark should have no issues moving to the starting lineup as he already started 6 contests last year.
Defense:
East Carolina took a big step in the right direction on the defensive end thanks to their new 3-4 scheme and with 7 starters back from last year, this can be McNeil's most veteran defense he has had yet.
While the defense was far better, their defense against the running game still left a lot to be desired as they allowed 174 running yards/contest. They move starting defensive end Derrell Johnson to outside linebacker, but they do get back starting nose tackle Michael Brooks and defensive end Matt Milner. Schools may still be able to rush the ball on the Pirates, nevertheless it won't be as straightforward as it was the last 2 seasons.
Their experience at linebacker will enable them to continue to improve on defense. They lose starting outside linebacker Cliff Perryman but Johnson is potentially the better player and could post up better stats. Sophomore outside linebacker Jeremy Grove is an interesting commodity as he notched 1st Team Freshman All-American as C-USA Freshman Player of the Year last season as a true freshman.
The defense is banking on three new starters on the secondary after losing their three starters from last year, including 2 nd Team All- C-USA corner Emanuel Davis. They have 5 of their top 8 back though, so the unit should not truly be that gutted. If this unit can hold their own though, then the Pirates will be one of the most improved defenses in the conference once again.
Conference USA Prediction - 2nd East Division
The Pirates are a team to watch out for this year. East Carolina's only tough competition this season will be against Southern Miss and UCF on the road and Houston at home. Each other game they'll have are winnable and they've a great likelihood of ending the season with a 6-2 in C-USA, and have them right back in the thick of things in the East.
Offense:
McNeil wants to discover a replacement at quarterback after the departure of starter Dominique Davis. Davis put up great stats last year and his production will definitely be missed. But quarterbacks tend to flourish in this system and they have more than capable players prepared to step up when required in junior Rio Johnson, redshirt freshman Cody Keith and sophomore Shane Carden. All 3 players have different talent sets but the starting job likely goes to Johnson.
An injury to starting rusher Reggie Bullock derailed whatever hopes they needed to reach the bowl contest last season. Now with him returning and North Carolina transfer Hunter Furr splitting time, this unit figures to receive a massive jump.
While East Carolina loses one of their best receivers in Lance Lewis, the squad will field an intriguing receiving corps in 2012. East Carolina returns 2 nd Team Freshman All-American Justin Hardy , as well as senior Andrew Bodenheimer. Sophomore Danny Webster and Arkansas transfer Lance Ray complete the starting unit.
The offensive line was hampered with injuries last year, as 3 starters were sidelined. This could be one of the most improved units in college football. The sole starter they lose is center Doug Polochak, but backup center Josh Clark should have no issues moving to the starting lineup as he already started 6 contests last year.
Defense:
East Carolina took a big step in the right direction on the defensive end thanks to their new 3-4 scheme and with 7 starters back from last year, this can be McNeil's most veteran defense he has had yet.
While the defense was far better, their defense against the running game still left a lot to be desired as they allowed 174 running yards/contest. They move starting defensive end Derrell Johnson to outside linebacker, but they do get back starting nose tackle Michael Brooks and defensive end Matt Milner. Schools may still be able to rush the ball on the Pirates, nevertheless it won't be as straightforward as it was the last 2 seasons.
Their experience at linebacker will enable them to continue to improve on defense. They lose starting outside linebacker Cliff Perryman but Johnson is potentially the better player and could post up better stats. Sophomore outside linebacker Jeremy Grove is an interesting commodity as he notched 1st Team Freshman All-American as C-USA Freshman Player of the Year last season as a true freshman.
The defense is banking on three new starters on the secondary after losing their three starters from last year, including 2 nd Team All- C-USA corner Emanuel Davis. They have 5 of their top 8 back though, so the unit should not truly be that gutted. If this unit can hold their own though, then the Pirates will be one of the most improved defenses in the conference once again.
Conference USA Prediction - 2nd East Division
The Pirates are a team to watch out for this year. East Carolina's only tough competition this season will be against Southern Miss and UCF on the road and Houston at home. Each other game they'll have are winnable and they've a great likelihood of ending the season with a 6-2 in C-USA, and have them right back in the thick of things in the East.
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