ECU wide receiver Trevon Brown set the American Athletic Conference single-game record with 270 receiving yards against Cincinnati last season and is the latest in a long line of productive ECU receivers. ECU loses both of its starting quarterbacks from last year. The Pirates look to go with either sophomore quarterback Reid Herring or freshman quarterback Holton Ahlers behind center in 2018. Running backs Hussein Howe and Darius Pinix were ECU’s top two rushers last season, as Howe rushed for 419 yards and three touchdowns, while Pinix had 229 yards and two touchdowns as a true freshman. The Pirates return three starters on the offensive line, and guard Garrett McGhin is a veteran with 22 career starts.

The Pirate defense will be led by new defensive coordinator David Blackwell, a 1997 ECU graduate who most recently helped Jacksonville State to four straight Ohio Valley Conference titles. Safety Devon Sutton registered 68 tackles with three pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery last season and is the Pirates’ top returning tackler. Linebacker Aaron Ramseur led the Pirates with two interceptions to go with 57 tackles in 2017.

The Pirates have made eight bowl appearances in 12 years, but look to end a three-year postseason drought. ECU’s nonconference schedule includes home dates against North Carolina, Old Dominion and North Carolina A&T. The Pirates have won seven of their last nine nonconference home games.