Last year the Pirates went 7-1 in their conference to win the East Division. It was also the best record out of any of the teams in the conference.

Out of conference, it was a much different story. The team went just 2-4, which is disappointing by their standards.

It is important to note that East Carolina does put some formidable out of conference opponents on their schedule.

This year, the Pirates will once again face off against the Virginia Tech Hokies, as well as fellow ACC foes North Carolina and North Carolina State.

The East Carolina Pirates come into the 2010 season carrying the banner as defending Conference USA champions. But replacing nine starters on defense and 15 overall will be the key to any repeat hopes.

ECU finished 9-5 last season and 7-1 in conference action, downing Houston in the C-USA championship game. The season ended with a 20-17 overtime loss to Arkansas in the Liberty Bowl, a game in which the Pirates missed four field goals.

First-year head coach Ruffin McNeill installed the spread offense and the 4-3 defense during spring practice for a team that will rely heavily on sophomores and juniors in 2010: 52 percent of the Pirates’ spring roster was comprised of sophomores and juniors.

ECU must replace its entire defensive line and linebackers, and half of its secondary. Only cornerbacks Emanuel Davis and Travis Simmons return as starters. Offensively, three starters are back on the offensive line, but the Pirates are looking for new starters to step up at the skill positions.

The Pirates open the season with two home games, against Tulsa and Memphis. Then comes three tough road games: at Virginia Tech, at North Carolina and at Southern Miss. Three of the next four are at home, with consecutive home games against N.C. State and Marshall, a trip to Central Florida, and a visit from Navy. Road games are next at UAB and Rice before the regular-season finale at home against SMU.

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