The Sports Objective

The guys reflect on ECU's thrilling 37-35 victory over ODU, as the Pirates "found a way" to overcome their miscues and even their record at 2-2.

The defense produced nine sacks and after largely stalling for more than two quarters, the offense came through when it had to with the game on the line!

On Volume 53, we are joined by former ECU offensive lineman Eric Graham as we break down the Pirates and ODU Monarchs. 

We are also joined by Patrick Johnson of 94.3 The Game-- The Official Station of the ECU Pirates and Curtis Thieman of Port City Films to discuss the making of this year's ECU Football intro video!!

The guys take a look back at ECU's hard fought 20-13 loss at USF, positives and negatives of the performance against the Bulls and a brief look ahead to ODU.

On this week's Pirate Preview, the guys preview ECU's upcoming game with USF.  The Pirates are coming off an unexpected open date due to Hurricane Florence, as the storm led to the ECU Administration opting to send the team to Orlando nearly a week and a half in advance of its match-up with the USF Bulls.

We're joined by the longtime Voice of the Bulls, Jim Louk.  Louk has been on the call for USF football since it began its program!

The guys are also joined by Greenville resident and well-respected author/sports writer Bethany Bradsher.  She has produced several great books while also serving as a regular contributor to Bonesville.net

Last, but certainly not least, Jeff Barber--ECU alum and current Charleston Southern AD--joined the program to talk about what he has been up to and life as a Division 1 Director of Athletics.

Dave, Kyle and Bubba also discuss other hot topics such as Cliff Godwin's extension, the postponement of the Virginia Tech game and more!

Volume 50 of The Sports OBJ features the guys being joined by Jay Sonnhalter--an ESPN3 color analyst and ECU football letterwinner--to take a look back at some of the biggest and best games of the day in college football.

Jay will discuss the two games he called this week and what he thinks of future ECU opponent, ODU.  

The crew will also address other major happenings such as No. 12 LSU's thrilling 22-21 win at No. 7 Auburn, BYU shocking No. 6 Wisconsin and Syracuse shutting down Florida State.

While not huge upsets or even upsets at all, the guys will also address quality Group of 5 wins over P5 opponents such as Troy taking down Nebraska, North Texas blowing out Arkansas and Akron beating Northwestern.

A special visit from a Cajun ball coach won't disappoint!! GEAUX TIGERS!

Follow us on Twitter @TheSportsOBJ (also @RichmondDave, @BubbaRosenbaum and @Bleeds_Purple), on Instagram @thesportsobjective, Facebook and YouTube.

Volume 49 of The Sports Objective features the Pirate Spotlight shining on three football letterwinners from the 1990s.  

Emmanuel McDaniel, who is better known as E-Mac, came to ECU as a running back but went on to become one of the better defensive backs to ever wear the purple and gold!  After wrapping up his Pirate career in 1995, he went on to play several years in the NFL--playing for the Panthers, Colts, Giants, Dolphins and Cardinals.

Mark Libiano, a Pennsylvania native, is part of ECU's great tradition of stud linebackers.  He now makes his home in Southern California.

Travis Darden, an Eastern NC native, was part of the program from 1995-98 and a stud on defensive lines that also included the likes of Rod Coleman.  

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On Volume 48 of The Sports Objective, we had the chance to catch up with four key components of the 2008 and 2009 CUSA Championship football teams that ECU produced.

First, we chatted with Van Eskridge, who intercepted Case Keenum's long ball in the final minute to help seal the 2009 Championship against Houston at a rockin' Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.

Enjoy Ron Franklin's call of that pivotal play below:

Pirates knock off Houston to win back-to-back CUSA titles! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQjEQKnAzcE

Eskridge had a chance to make that memorable interception because of the tremendous coverage that corner Travis Simmons had on the play. We'll catch up with the Florida native and see what he's up to now.

Nick Johnson wasn't the fastest or the strongest, but he was SIMPLY a football player. He had a nose for the football and was a tremendous linebacker. We'll talk about how he landed at ECU.

Last, but certainly not least, we were joined by Dekota Marshall. Dekota's injury was cut short due to an injury against Virginia Tech in 2009, but he rebounded to play some professional ball in the arena leagues and CFL. Now, the Eastern North Carolina native is back home where he is a successful financial planner and owner of 1st and Goal Hauling, where it's "a touchdown every time!"

Last year, Mike Norvell and his Tigers captured the West Division crown before falling to UCF in the AAC Championship Game in Orlando.

Memphis is many people's pick to repeat, BUT Ken Niumatalolo--the longest tenured coach in the league--and his Navy Midshipmen, as well as Major Applewhite and the Houston Cougars promise to have something to say about how things shake out in the West.

Can Tulane take that next step and make a bowl under Willie Fritz?

Tulsa needs a solid year under Shane Montgomery and SMU looks to build on Chad Morris' foundation as it transitions to the Sonny Dykes Era in Dallas!

The American Athletic Conference brands itself as a P6 league.  

Last year, the UCF Knights went undefeated and took down Auburn in the Peach Bowl  after the Tigers had won the SEC West--posting wins over Georgia and Alabama in the process.

Will the league build on last year's success?

Week 2 featured a pair of wins over the ACC (USF over Georgia Tech and ECU over UNC) and a victory over the Pac-12 (UH over Arizona).

On opening weekend, second-year coach Luke Fickell and Cincinnati spoiled Chip Kelly's debut in The Rose Bowl.

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Volume 45 of The Sports Objective was supposed to be a preview of ECU's trip to #13 Virginia Tech, but instead became more about discussing Hokies' AD Whit Babcock's comments and the social media backlash that ensued.

The guys are joined by Brian Freeman of 92.5 FM Fox News Miami to talk Hurricane Florence, Virginia Tech PxP Voice Jon Laaser and ECU great Greg Grandison. 

Follow us on Twitter @TheSportsOBJ and Instagram @Thesportsobjective. 

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