For the second year in a row, Army will go on a short-week road trip to play an American Conference opponent. This year, the Black Knights will travel a bit further than Philadelphia, though. They’ll go all the way to Greenville, North Carolina, to take on the East Carolina Pirates.
This game marks the fifth time that Army will have played in Greenville. They are still looking for their first win there.
Last year, Army beat ECU, 45-28, at home. At first glance, 28 points seems like a respectable performance considering it came in current ECU starting QB Kaitin Houser’s first start with the program. But in fact, the game was a little less close than that final score might indicate. The Black Knights led 31-0 before a muffed punt and a few coverage lapses late made the game look closer on the scoreboard. Still, the second half of that game started a stretch in which ECU averaged a whopping 45 points per game going forward.
East Carolina Offense
This is an offense that likes to pass. They throw the ball more than 40 times per game. They’ve run a decent amount this year, too, but most of these runs came after they’d gotten up by considerable margins in games they would go on to dominate. With their passing attack, Houser has completed fully 68% of his passes this year for an average of 8 yards per attempt. That’s great! However, he only has 5 touchdowns this year against 3 interceptions. His primary targets include WRs Brock Spalding, Yannick Smith, and Anthony Smith, each of whom average at least 10 yards per reception.
Though ECU likes to pass a lot between the twenties, they run much more once they get into the red zone. Of their 16 touchdowns so far this season, 10 have come on the ground. They possess a trio of running backs — Landon Montgomery, Parker Jenkins, and Marlon Gunn Jr. — who each have 2 touchdowns. All three guys have at least 20 carries.
On paper, then, this looks like a good matchup for Army’s defense. Specifically, the fact that Houser has had difficulty finding the endzone through the air is a good sign for the Black Knights’ bend-don’t-break scheme. However, Army must show the ability to stop the run in the red zone. They’ve struggled with that a few times this season. However, if Army can force a few redzone field goals, this could be a good day for the Black Knights!
6⃣ for the Pirates 🏴☠️ https://t.co/FnMSanfTqB pic.twitter.com/nqAaxVHsdP
— ECU Football (@ECUPiratesFB) September 21, 2025
East Carolina Defense
The Pirates rushing defense has allowed just 2.8 yards per carry this season. That’s an ominous sign. But let’s don’t get too freaked out. Last year, ECU entered this game giving up 3.5 yards per carry before allowing 5.3 to the Black Knights. This early in the season, these kinds of statistics are often based on the types of offenses that a team has played rather than how good they are as an overall defensive front.
Still, the Pirate’s entire front seven enter this game as some kind of senior, i.e. redshirt, fifth-year, etc., with only one joining them through the transfer portal over the last offseason. Even then, that player came from Rice. So not only is this group experienced, they’re experienced against the triple option. LBs Samuel Dankah, Dameon Wilson, Ryheem Craig make up the trio to watch. They’ll be asked to stop whichever quarterback Army starts tomorrow night.
Army’s biggest advantage on offense comes from playing on a short week. It’s not easy to prepare for the triple option in one week, let alone in just four days. Moreover, ECU has not had a bye week this season. So unless the Pirates ran some option prep in the week leading up to their game against FCS Campbell, this four-day week will mark their only option prep since at least mid-August.
To make matters worse for the Pirates, Army has two different quarterbacks that they could start tomorrow night. Each one comes with a significantly different set of skills, leading to different playcalls, different blocking schemes, and even to some different passing concepts overall. That’s tough. The Pirates will have less than 115 hours to prepare for two distinct and different offensive looks in an already unusual offensive scheme.
Pics from Lynn Fern’s Photobook from last year’s game, ECU at Army.
Special Teams
ECU should have the advantage here. PK Nick Mazzie has just one miss this season, and it came from 50+ yards out. He also had a kick blocked. P Leavy Ryan averages 42 yards and has yet to put one into the endzone. That’s quite a stat over the course of four games.
If there’s a place for Army to capitalize on special teams, it’s in the punt return game. The Pirates have allowed a few long punt returns this season.
Key Questions
1. Who’s starting at QB?
Even once we know whether we’ll see QB Dewayne Coleman or Cale Hellums, we should probably also expect to see the other guy, too. Both guys have played quite a bit this season. Will the team prep packages for both?
2. Can this team manage turnovers?
This is pretty simple. In games where Army doesn’t turn the ball over, they’re 1-0. In the two other games, we’ve seen three turnovers per game. Both led to eventual overtime losses.
Army has to make ECU beat them. They cannot afford to beat themselves.
3. Can Army stop the run?
Army’s defensive front seven needs to look better this week, particularly in the red zone. East Carolina is not the you want to face in a shootout. Forcing two or three red zone field goals could very well become the difference tomorrow night.
Congrats Andon 🫡
— Army Football (@ArmyWP_Football) September 24, 2025
Thomas named a semifinalist by @NFFNetwork for the William V. Campbell Trophy.
The trophy recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership. pic.twitter.com/v2JTSV9XuK
Final Thoughts
The game kicks off at 7:30 pm ET on ESPN. As always, the Varsity app has you covered if you’re listening on the radio.
Your Need To Know heading into Thursday night's kickoff! pic.twitter.com/7mgAk2c9xV
— Army Football (@ArmyWP_Football) September 23, 2025
As of this writing, thunderstorms are forecasted in the early afternoon with periodic showers after that through the game. Hopefully lightning delays won’t become a factor. But if the natural grass field gets muddied, and the ball stays wet, that would certainly help Army’s defense against this big-time ECU passing attack.
We’ll see if Army can execute cleanly and win this game.
Go Army! Beat ECU!!!
