ECU Riding High Under Interim Coach Blake Harrell, Tulsa Eye Future
East Carolina vs. Tulsa Football Preview: ECU Eyes Bowl Eligibility, Tulsa Looks Toward Next Season
East Carolina (5-4 SU, 6-3 ATS, 3-2 AAC) heads west to Oklahoma to face the Tulsa Golden Hurricane (3-6 SU, 3-6 ATS, 1-4 AAC) on Thursday night at Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium. The game kicks off at 7:30 PM ET and will showcase two teams heading in very different directions. East Carolina is riding a wave of momentum under interim head coach Blake Harrell, while Tulsa continues to struggle through a disappointing season, hoping to find some positives to build on for next year.
The weather forecast for Tulsa predicts mild temperatures in the mid-50s with no precipitation expected, setting the stage for a potentially high-scoring affair. Last year, Tulsa managed a 29-27 win in East Carolina, but this season, both teams have shown inconsistency, making Thursday’s game critical for both squads’ aspirations.
East Carolina: New Life Under Interim Coach Blake Harrell
Following a disappointing stretch that saw the Pirates lose four of their last five games, East Carolina made the bold decision to part ways with head coach Mike Houston after a 45-28 loss at Army on October 19. The firing of Houston opened the door for Blake Harrell, the team’s defensive coordinator, to step in as the interim head coach. Since Harrell took over, the Pirates have found new life, winning back-to-back games by impressive margins.
In their most recent outing on November 7, ECU dominated FAU 49-14 behind a standout performance from quarterback Katin Houser, who threw for 343 yards and five touchdowns. Harrell’s leadership has sparked the Pirates, who now stand on the brink of bowl eligibility with a win. A bowl appearance cou ld elevate Harrell’s chances of securing the full-time head coach position, adding more stakes to Thursday’s contest.
Offensively, East Carolina has been highly productive, averaging 417.2 yards per game (46th in FBS) and 32.4 points per game. They have been particularly effective in the passing game, ranking 25th nationally with 272.7 passing yards per game. Much of this success has been driven by Katin Houser, the Michigan State transfer, who has been sensational over the past three games, throwing 13 touchdowns and three interceptions. His chemistry with top receiver Isaiah Winstead has been on display, with Winstead catching several of those touchdowns.
On the ground, Rahjai Harris has contributed 616 rushing yards and five touchdowns, helping ECU maintain a balanced offensive attack. However, the Pirates’ defense remains a work in progress, allowing 393.2 yards per game (95th in the nation) and 159.3 rushing yards per game (84th). Despite these challenges, ECU has shown resilience and will look to outscore Tulsa, who struggles to contain opposing offenses.
Tulsa: Struggling Through a Tough Season, Looking Ahead to 2024
While East Carolina has found success under new leadership, Tulsa has been plagued by inconsistency throughout the 2024 season. The Golden Hurricane have lost four of their last five games, including a brutal 59-21 loss at UAB in their last outing on November 2. Although Tulsa pulled off a thrilling 46-45 win over UTSA on October 26, the team has struggled to replicate that performance in subsequent games, and their defense has been a significant liability.
Tulsa’s defense is ranked among the worst in the country, particularly in defending the pass. They are allowing 308.6 passing yards per game (134th nationally) and an average of 38.4 points per game. In their loss to UAB, the Golden Hurricane were shredded for 424 passing yards, and their defense could not stop the Blazers’ offensive juggernaut. The secondary continues to be a major concern, and if they don’t shore up their coverage, they could struggle against ECU’s potent passing attack.
Offensively, Tulsa has been mediocre at best, averaging 383.1 yards per game. Their quarterback play has been inconsistent, with Cooper Legas taking over the starting role after Kirk Francis struggled with turnovers. Legas has thrown for 675 yards and eight touchdowns this season but is also coming off a rough game against UAB, where he completed 21 of 38 passes for 230 yards, throwing two touchdowns and one interception. Legas will need to improve his decision-making and find success against an East Carolina defense that has shown vulnerability at times.
The running game for Tulsa has been adequate but not dynamic. Anthony Watkins, the team’s second-leading rusher with 281 yards and three touchdowns, is listed as questionable for Thursday’s game due to an undisclosed injury. If Watkins is unavailable, Billy O’Malley and Deneric Prince will need to step up and carry the load.
Conclusion
East Carolina enters this matchup with momentum under interim coach Blake Harrell and is one win away from bowl eligibility, with their offense firing on all cylinders. The Golden Hurricane, meanwhile, are fighting through a tough season and will likely have to look to next year for a chance to regroup. With key players like Katin Houser leading the charge for ECU, Tulsa’s defense will need to step up in a big way if they hope to pull off an upset.
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