“We’re exactly where we want to be as a team, the underdogs,” starting quarterback Philip Nelson said at Saturday’s ECU media day.
Being picked to finish 5th in the American Athletic Conference’s east division is just another bullet Nelson can add to his list of reasons to carry a chip on his shoulder. Nelson, a Minnesota Golden Bear transferee, has a different outlook since being given a second chance by head coach Scottie Montgomery and his staff.
“You get something you love taken away, you never take it for granted anymore,” said Nelson
While being unable to play last season, Nelson channeled that frustration and doubt from outsiders to give this Pirate offense exactly the chip it needs this season and occasionally lacked a year ago.