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East Carolina prepares for season opener against Alabama in Tuscaloosa

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 1, 2026, 1:02 PM

Last updated Sep 1, 2026

East Carolina prepares for season opener against Alabama in Tuscaloosa

Summary

East Carolina travels to Tuscaloosa for a Week 1 matchup against Alabama on Saturday. The Pirates enter the contest under head coach Blake Harrell, who has guided the program to a 14-5 record since taking over midway through the 2024 season. Mitch Griffis, a sixth-year senior transfer, will start at quarterback for the Pirates after securing the job during fall camp. The visiting team features a retooled offense and a defense led by experienced contributors including linebacker DJ Johnson Jr. and defensive lineman Jasiyah Robinson. Alabama faces East Carolina for the first time since 1998 as the program looks to begin its season on home turf.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Mitch Griffis starts at quarterback for East Carolina against Alabama.
•The teams last met on the football field in 1998.
•Blake Harrell enters his third season as head coach of the Pirates.
•DJ Johnson Jr. returns as the Pirates' top tackler from the previous season.
•Ashton Gray joins the East Carolina backfield as a transfer from North Texas.

Latest Updates

1:02 PMYahoo Sports — Transfer quarterback among Pirates to know vs. East Carolina in Week 1

What they're saying

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East Carolina comes to Tuscaloosa in Week 1 with a roster featuring a number of new faces, as well as impact returning players. Here are five to know.
— Yahoo Sports

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