ECU Announces 2024 Football Schedule, Game Designations

GREENVILLE, N.C. – Four games against 2023 bowl qualifiers and two programs that were ranked or received votes in the final Top 25 polls a year ago highlight East Carolina's 2024 football schedule according to a release of the league composite slate Thursday by the American Athletic Conference.

For the third time in head coach Mike Houston's six-year tenure, East Carolina will open the season at home hosting Norfolk State (Aug. 31). After a road game at Old Dominion (Sept. 7), the Pirates return home to face Appalachian State (Sept. 14) marking the third contest between the two schools in the last four years. ECU's non-conference slate concludes with a trip to Liberty on Sept. 21. The Flames are coming off a New Year Six bowl game appearance (Vrbo Fiesta Bowl).

The Pirates 11th campaign in the AAC will officially begin when they host UTSA (Sept. 28) before heading to Charlotte (Oct. 5). After the first of two open weekends, ECU will travel north to square off against new member Army (Oct. 19) followed by Temple in Greenville (Oct. 26) before its second open week.

Two of ECU's final four games will be at home, while two will be played on Thursday night (one home, one road). The Pirates will welcome Florida Atlantic on Thursday, Nov. 7 and then play at Tulsa (Nov. 14) a week later with both contests set to be televised on one of ESPN's national platforms. The final road game of the year is slated for Nov. 23 at North Texas, while the regular season finale is against Navy (Nov. 29/30). Final broadcast determinations will be made once completed by the league office and the networks.

"We are excited and looking forward to the opportunity this schedule provides," Houston said. "Playing two games on a national stage will continue to enhance our exposure and we're thankful to the American Conference and ESPN for its commitment to put us in a position to once again show the rest of the country about the pride of Pirate Nation."

New season ticket orders are on sale now with packages starting as low as $115 each. The priority deadline to order is April 8. Purchases may be made via ECU's Online Ticket Center or by calling the Athletics Ticket Office at (252) 737-4500.

The Pirates will open spring drills March 19 and conclude work with the annual Purple-Gold Spring Game inside Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on April 13.

2024 SCHEDULE NOTABLES

Composite Records
ECU's 2024 opponents posted a combined 70-79 (.470) record in 2023. The Pirates' four non-conference foes were 31-21 (.596), while the eight AAC squads tallied a collective 39-58 (.402) mark. Three programs had nine or more wins – Liberty (13), Appalachian State (9) and UTSA (9).

Four Bowl Teams
In all, ECU's schedule features contests against four teams which qualified for bowl games a year ago. In addition to Liberty (Vrbo Fiesta Bowl), Appalachian State (Avocados From Mexico Cure Bowl), Old Dominion (Famous Toastery Bowl) and UTSA (Scooter's Coffee Frisco Bowl) each were eligible for FBS postseason appearances last season. Of ECU's six home games, two will be against 2023 bowl qualifiers.

Playing For Conference Titles
The Pirates will square off against two teams that appeared in conference championships in Appalachian State (Sun Belt) and Liberty (Conference USA). The Flames, who were 12-0 during regular season action, defeated New Mexico State 49-35.

In The Final Polls
Two of ECU's 2024 FBS opponents finished ranked or receiving votes in two major polls (Associated Press, USA Today/AFCA Coaches) to end the 2023 season – Liberty (25/RV) and UTSA (-/RV).

First Time Opponents/Series Renewed
ECU will face off against two opponents for the first time, hosting Norfolk State and traveling to Liberty. The Pirates will also renew their series with Army, which began in 1995 when both were members of Conference USA.

Homecoming, Other Designations
In addition to Homecoming, East Carolina will also welcome letterwinners (EC Letterwinners Club) when it hosts Temple on Oct. 16. Other gameday designations, in chronological order, include Band Day (Norfolk State/Aug. 31), Pirate Club Day (Sept. 14), Family Weekend (Sept. 28), Night of the Boneyard (Nov. 7), Military Appreciation and Senior Day (Nov. 29/30).

Colors Of The Day
ECU will "Paint It Purple" against the Mountaineers, "Paint it Gold" versus the Roadrunners and "Paint It Black" when the Owls visit Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.

Non-Saturday Action
For the fifth consecutive season (and sixth time in the last seven years), ECU will face FAU (Nov. 7) and travel to Tulsa (Nov. 14) for a pair of Thursday night contests. The Pirates could have three non-Saturday contests depending on when they host Navy (Nov. 29/30) – decision to be made on Oct. 14. Since 2000, ECU is 23-31 all-time on non-Saturday games (16-15/road and 7-16/home) after posting an 0-1 record in 2023.

American Athletic Conference Championship
The American Conference will conduct its championship game on Dec. 6. The title clash will be conducted on the home field of the highest-seeded team (by order of its regular season finish).

Kickoff Times & Television Picks
Kickoff times and television selections for the first three weeks of the season and most non-Saturday games will likely be announced in late May, while the remainder will be through the traditional 12-day/6-day process.

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