The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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122 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2023 FOOTBALL PREVIEW BY CLAYTON SAYFIE Cincinnati, Houston and Central Florida — three of the American Athletic Conference's top programs — dashed for the Big 12, leaving an opening for East Carolina and others to take control of the league. The Pirates have been gaining momentum, going 7-5 and 8-5 the last two seasons, respectively, after finishing worse than .500 six straight years from 2015-20. Fifth-year head coach Mike Houston has turned things around, but he lost a lot from last year's roster. That, along with tough road games at Michigan (Sept. 2), Appalachian State (Sept. 16), UTSA (Oct. 28) and FAU (Nov. 11), will make it a challenge for the Pirates to earn a third consecutive bowl bid. The team's top offensive skill players from a year ago are all gone, including quarterback Holton Ahlers (3,708 yards, 28 TDs), running back Keaton Mitchell (1,452 yards, 14 TDs) and two 1,000-yard receivers in Isaiah Winstead (6 TDs) and C.J. Johnson (10 TDs). That group established a high standard for this year's offense to meet, ranking 35th nationally in points per game (32.7), 23rd in yards per outing (461.1) and 16th in passing yards per contest (290.5). Projected starting quarterback Mason Garcia, a backup the last three seasons, has two returning starting offensive line- men and a new center in North Carolina transfer Avery Jones (19 career starts) around him. Former Georgia transfer Jaylen Johnson, a senior who reeled in 26 receptions for 340 yards and 4 touch- downs for the Pirates last fall, is expected to take a big step forward as the team's top target. The return of junior running back Rah- jai Harris, who missed all but five tilts with an injury last season, will prove crucial. He's rushed for 1,441 yards and 13 scores in his career and was named preseason second-team All-AAC by Ath- lon Sports. With the loss of their signal- caller and so many key pass-catching targets, the Pirates may have to lean more on Harris and Co. in the run game. ECU struggled defensively last sea- son, ranking 73rd in the land in scoring defense and 91st in total defense. The Pirates were especially porous against the pass, slotting 130th with 292.8 yards allowed per contest and giving up 150 throws that went for 10-plus yards (tied 127th). Stud cornerback Malik Fleming, a first-team All-AAC choice last season, transferred to Houston this offseason, making matters worse. The secondary is a big question mark as a whole, but senior safety Julius Wood, who led the Pirates with 88 tackles last season, adding 2 interceptions and 3 pass breakups, is a piece to build around. The Pirates do return a lethal edge rusher duo, however. Junior Chad Ste- phens and senior Jeremy Lewis — the team's two leaders in tackles for loss last season, combining for 18.5 — will be strong up front. Lewis led the squad with 4.5 sacks, while Stephens contributed 2.5. The front seven held up against the run last season, allowing only 112.5 rushing yards per game, but that was due in part to the Pirates being so suspect against the pass. Still, they ranked 21st in the nation in yards per carry allowed (3.4), some- thing that could carry over with three of four players at the line of scrimmage coming back. Notes The Pirates ranked first in the country with 0.9 turnovers per game last season … They were 4-1 when forcing 2 or more turnovers … Opponents scored touchdowns on only 77.8 percent of their red zone trips in 2022, 40th in the nation … The ECU offense generated 79 plays of 20-plus yards last fall, the 15th-most in college football. ❑ East Carolina Is Back On Track, But Will It Stay There? 2023 SCHEDULE Date Opponent 2022 Result Sept. 2 at Michigan — Sept. 9 Marshall — Sept. 16 at Appalachian State — Sept. 23 Gardner-Webb — Sept. 30 at Rice — Oct. 12 SMU — Oct. 21 Charlotte — Oct. 28 at UTSA — Nov. 4 Tulane L, 24-9 Nov. 11 at FAU — Nov. 18 at Navy L, 23-20 Nov. 25 Tulsa — PLAYERS TO WATCH Offense: Rahjai Harris, Jr., RB — The 5-foot- 11, 208-pounder ran for more than 550 yards in each of the 2020 and 2021 seasons, combining for 8 touchdowns. Defense: Chad Stephens, Jr., DE — The 6-foot- 1, 265-pounder was one of 11 players in the AAC to tally 10 or more tackles for loss last sea- son (10). He added 18 pressures, fourth on the squad. Sophomore Mason Garcia is tasked with fending off junior Alex Flinn for the starting quarterback job during fall camp. PHOTO COURTESY ECU ATHLETICS GAME 1 • EAST CAROLINA PIRATES • SEPT. 2 • 12 P.M. (PEACOCK) QUICK FACTS All-Time Series: 0-0 First Meeting: None Last Meeting: None Head Coach: Mike Houston, 22-24 (5th year) at ECU, 102-49 (13th year) overall 2022 In Review: 8-5, 4-4 AAC (tied sixth) Final 2022 Ranking: Unranked Returning Starters: 9 (4 offense, 5 defense, 3 specialists) Last Bowl Appearance: 2022 (Birmingham Bowl vs. Coastal Carolina, W 53-29) RETURNING LEADERS Passing: Mason Garcia (54 yards) Rushing: Marlon Gunn Jr. (344 yards) Receiving: Jaylen Johnson (340 yards, 4 TD) Tackles: Julius Wood (88) Sacks: Jeremy Lewis (4.5) Interceptions: Julius Wood (2)