Bye weeks are tricky things for football teams in need of wins but desperately in need of a breather.
East Carolina was in the midst of its one and only week off on Wednesday night, and players and coaches alike seemed in agreement about the importance of taking that deep breath after 10 straight game weeks. But at 4-6 and with their backs against the wall in terms of making the bowl postseason, there was still an itch to play.
“Getting that rest is one of the pros after going non-stop since Aug. 1,” senior tight end Bryce Williams said following Wednesday night’s workout, still more than a week in advance of the Pirates’ crucial American Athletic Conference clash at Central Florida next Thursday.