“I thought our guys played with great penalty discipline,” said ECU head coach Scottie Montgomery. “I thought we played hard at times, even when we were down in the game, there was no quit.”
To kickoff senior night at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, the Pirates won the toss and decided to receive. Immediately, in his first start of the season, quarterback Gardner Minshew set the tone with a seven-yard pass to wide receiver Zay Jones.
In an attempt to assist Jones in breaking the FBS all time receptions record, Minshew targeted Jones early and often.
The stands came to life as Minshew connected with Jones for the fourth time for a 40-yard touchdown pass to give the Pirates an early lead.