The ECU Pirate football team is now 3-7 after a recent, painful loss against SMU. This was a big L for the Pirates due to the fact that they had to win these last three games to become bowl eligible.
This season has been a sad display to say the least. With an all new coaching staff,there has been less and less attendance at Dowdy Ficklen Stadium.To say this team is facing some adversity would be an understatement.
“It’s definitely been a struggle, it’s not easy. Wins are hard to come by and college football is tough, everyone is trying to get a win.”
However, adversity comes with character building and each player has a different way of dealing with and getting over a tough loss.
For record holder Zay Jones, he and everyone else who watches him is for sure aware of his talents on the field. But even with all his strengths he chooses to come back games after game and focus on his weaknesses.
“I think a key mistake people make is just to focus on the things they are good at. I think really critiquing yourself and knowing where you lack in some areas and coming out here and try to work those weaknesses out in practice.”
For other players just taking some time away from the game gets their head in the right place to look forward to the next game day.
“You know it takes a little time, personally I just like to go be by myself. Sometimes that might be with some of the boys and listen to some music. I like to get into my own zone after a loss and then eventually I’ll get over it”, says Jimmy Williams.
For the older guys, they know no matter how much adversity the team faces this year they must remain positive and keep the energy and vibe up for the underclassmen.
After last weeks loss against the Mustangs James Summers did not let the idea of not going to a bowl get him down. “As a Pirate you play hard till the end no matter what as if you were going to a bowl game.”
For the Pirates ,bowl or no bowl does not mean give up on the rest of the season . Coach Scottie Montgomery says the energy at practice on Sunday was exactly as so.