Leading in Spirit: ECU Navigates Tough Times with Their Coach in a Coma

The start of the 2026 college football season has brought a renewed sense of excitement and anticipation across the nation. Fans everywhere are buzzing as fresh faces, new rivalries, and unexpected twists set the stage for another thrilling year. Week 0 and Week 1 didn’t disappoint, delivering explosive performances and storylines that have already sparked national conversations. From Nevada’s true freshman sensation lighting up the Rose Bowl to Coastal Carolina’s record-setting offensive clinic, the energy on the field matched the electricity in the stands. Powerhouses like Troy and Tulane showed their strength with statement wins, while teams like South Alabama and Arkansas State showcased their potential for greatness. As the season unfolds, the excitement is only building, with fans eager to see what surprises are yet to come in this unpredictable and exhilarating college football season.

Week 0 Recap:

South Alabama 38, Ohio 26

South Alabama kicked off their new era in the Mountain West in style with a 38-26 win over Ohio, covering the 7-point spread as favorites. The combined score of 64 points also hit the over on a total set at 56. Defense and special teams proved to be the game-changers, as the Jaguars pulled away late.

Senior quarterback Bishop Davenport began his final season by throwing for 248 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception, completing 16 of 21 passes. It wasn’t his most flawless performance, but his leadership and poise kept the offense steady. Sophomore running back Winston Malone made his first career start and took full advantage, rushing for 110 yards and 2 touchdowns on 18 carries. In the passing game, Bobbie Purdue was Davenport’s go-to target, catching 8 passes for 129 yards.

However, it was the defense and special teams that stole the spotlight. Senior free safety Wesley Miller turned the game on its head, racking up 8 tackles, returning an interception 73 yards for a pick-six, and even recording a safety to add to his impressive stat line. Special teams played a key role as well, with Noah Toster returning a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, a momentum-shifting play that helped the Jaguars pull away from a scrappy Ohio squad.

Coach Mason lauded the overall team effort, emphasizing the game-changing plays from the defense and special teams: “Our defense and special teams stepped up when we needed them most. It’s one thing to make plays on offense, but when the defense can change the course of a game like they did today, that’s what turns a good team into a great one.”

For his part, Bishop Davenport acknowledged that his day wasn’t perfect but credited the win to the team’s collective effort: “It wasn’t my cleanest game, but it’s about finding a way to win. Winston [Malone] was incredible, and our defense was just lights out. That’s a team win right there.”

South Alabama not only walked away with a win but also covered the spread, while the game soared past the over/under, giving bettors plenty of reasons to celebrate.

South Alabama will rest up during Week 1 and get ready for their matchup against Tulane in Week 2.

Nevada 44, UCLA 17

The Nevada Wolf Pack made a statement in their season opener, dismantling UCLA with a 44-17 victory in the Rose Bowl, a result that easily saw them cover the underdog spread and soar past the over/under. True freshman quarterback Marco Knight made his collegiate debut in spectacular fashion, throwing for 405 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 1 interception, completing 21 of 28 passes. It was a debut to remember for Knight, who grew up watching Rose Bowl games as a Washington State fan. After the game, Knight reflected on the moment: “It was special going into the Rose Bowl for my first start and beating UCLA. I grew up watching my team play here, so it’s a dream come true.”

Nevada’s offense was firing on all cylinders, led by senior running back Ashton Hayes, who tallied 77 rushing yards, 2 touchdowns, and added 76 receiving yards with another touchdown. Junior wide receiver Tyrone Howell had a dominant performance, racking up 134 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns, showcasing the talent in Nevada’s upperclassman-driven receiver room that will help ease Knight’s transition to college football.

Head coach Joey couldn’t have been prouder of his team: “These guys have worked incredibly hard all offseason. We knew coming in here we had a chance to do something special, and we executed. This team is gunning for six wins and a bowl game, and we’re going to keep pushing.”

Nevada’s defense held strong, limiting UCLA’s high-powered offense to just 17 points, a critical factor in maintaining their early lead. With the momentum of this win, Nevada will take a bye in Week 1 before hosting FCS Northwest in Week 2, where they’ll look to build on their explosive start.

Week 1 Recap:

Coastal Carolina 128, FCS West 30

Coastal Carolina opened their season in historic fashion, obliterating FCS West with a 128-30 victory, a result that left no doubt as to the gap between the two programs. Senior quarterback Ethan Vasko kicked off his final season in Conway by throwing for an unbelievable 908 yards, 11 touchdowns, and just 1 interception, completing 40 of 51 passes. Vasko, who has been the face of the Chanticleers’ offense, reflected on the emotional start to his final year: “It’s emotional, for sure. I’ve had some amazing moments here, and this is just the beginning of our last run. This team has a lot to prove, and we’re expecting to do big things in 2026.”

The game saw a surprising shake-up in the backfield, as Christian Washington, last season’s leading rusher, was benched in favor of Ja’Vin Simpkins, who took full advantage of the opportunity. Simpkins rushed for 189 yards and 5 touchdowns on 23 carries, while also adding 58 receiving yards. In the passing game, Jalon Williams put on a show with 11 catches for 292 yards and 2 touchdowns, while junior tight end Khalid Boyle seamlessly filled the void left by the absence of Cane Berrong, hauling in 6 catches for 245 yards and 3 touchdowns.

One notable stat? No kicker or punter stepped foot on the field outside of kickoffs, as Coastal Carolina racked up an unrelenting stream of touchdowns.

Head coach Jacob Clayton didn’t mince words about his team’s mindset: “We’re focused on scoring as many points as possible, and we’re not letting up. Coastal paid FCS West a lot of money to fly out here for an ass kicking, and that’s exactly what they got.” Clayton’s aggressive approach has clearly set the tone for the season, as the Chanticleers put up a point total that may not be topped all year.

While the betting lines weren’t even close to anticipating a score like this, Coastal Carolina heads into Week 2 riding a wave of momentum as they prepare to face Army, where Vasko and the offense will look to continue their record-breaking start to the season.

Arkansas State 63, Memphis 7 (Paint Bucket Bowl)

The Arkansas State Red Wolves opened their season with a commanding 63-7 victory over Memphis in the Paint Bucket Bowl, but the talk of the night wasn’t the score—it was the shocking decision by head coach Bryan Vieger to start freshman quarterback Connor Wojciechowski over last year’s star, Jaylen Raynor. While Wojciechowski was named the future starter heading into last year’s national championship, few expected Raynor to ride the bench after deciding to return for his senior season. Rumors of a split locker room are already swirling, potentially setting the stage for internal conflicts as the season progresses.

Woj, as he’s commonly known, had a rollercoaster first start. While he threw for 263 yards and 2 touchdowns, he also tossed 4 interceptions, completing 29 of 39 passes. On the ground, Woj showed his dual-threat capability, rushing for 122 yards and 5 touchdowns, salvaging his debut with a strong rushing performance. Freshman running back Sateki Stumph added a solid effort, rushing for 112 yards and 1 touchdown on 21 carries and contributing 87 receiving yards on 7 catches.

The Red Wolves’ defense also made a statement, particularly 4-star freshman Salesi Siulai, who was an immediate force with 12 tackles and 5 tackles for loss. After the game, Siulai reflected on the jump from high school to college: “The speed of the game is insane compared to high school, but I feel ready. I’m here to make a big impact, and I want to be a leader on this defense for the next three years.”

However, all eyes were on Coach Bryan Vieger and the decision to start Woj over Raynor, a choice that could shape Arkansas State’s season. Vieger didn’t shy away from his reasoning: “Woj is the future of this program, and he’s the leader this team needs. Jaylen [Raynor] had his time, but he’s not the leader Woj is. I told Jaylen before spring ball that he wouldn’t be the starter going into 2026. Maybe I shouldn’t have had that conversation on April 1st, but here we are.”

Looking ahead, Arkansas State will face TCU in Week 2, a game that could be an emotional test for Coach Vieger, who has openly admitted TCU is his favorite team. “My heart might not be able to handle beating TCU, but we’re coming to win,” Vieger joked.

As the Red Wolves prepare for a challenging opponent in TCU, questions about leadership and locker room harmony will continue to linger, but for now, Arkansas State has set the tone with a dominant opening win.

UNLV 92, Cal 7

UNLV opened their 2026 campaign with a 92-7 demolition of Cal, putting up a staggering 796 yards of total offense. Cal’s only score came late in the fourth quarter, long after the game was out of reach. The biggest shock, however, came from Coach Hayden Tindal, who made the bold decision to move Santi Melendez—the star of last year’s offense—from quarterback to running back, handing the starting QB reins to true freshman Tavarus Cargile.

In his debut, Cargile didn’t disappoint. He threw for 677 yards and 11 touchdowns, completing 30 of 40 passes. Cargile’s performance set a new standard for a debut in UNLV’s high-powered offense. When asked about stepping into the starting role, Cargile confidently stated: “I told everyone I was coming to UNLV to take over the starting job. If I had been under center in last year’s national championship game, we would have won.” It was a direct jab at his new running back, Santi Melendez, who last year led all quarterbacks in rushing yards.

Melendez, now in the backfield, rushed for 34 yards and added 78 receiving yards on 7 catches, scoring 2 touchdowns. Despite the position switch, he remains a key offensive weapon. Senior running back Jai’Den Thomas also contributed with 77 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Chrishon McCray torched the Cal defense with 275 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns.

Coach Hayden addressed the decision to start Cargile over Melendez: “Santi’s done everything we’ve asked of him, but I felt like he had capped out his potential at quarterback. Tavarus gives us more room to grow. Santi’s speed is special, and we’re looking forward to giving him the ball in space in creative ways. It’s all about making our offense as dangerous as possible.”

With the win, UNLV moves into Week 2, where they will travel to Denton to take on UNT. Coach Hayden will be looking to keep his team’s momentum rolling as they seek another high-powered offensive display.

UNT 31, Wyoming 14

UNT opened their season with a 31-14 win over Wyoming, but it was a performance that left many questions about the state of the offense following the departure of General Booty. Freshman quarterback Phil McCutcheon made his first career start, throwing for 135 yards and an interception, completing 11 of 18 passes. He added 51 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground, but the drop-off in offensive output from last year’s Heisman finalist General Booty to McCutcheon was evident.

Heisman finalist Zach Evans had a quiet game by his standards, rushing for 63 yards and 3 touchdowns, while adding 22 receiving yards. Landon Sides led the receiving corps with 79 yards, but the offensive spark UNT fans were used to was missing. The defense picked up the slack, with junior cornerback Taylor Starling recording 2 interceptions to help secure the win.

Head coach Jake Robinson was blunt in his assessment of McCutcheon’s performance: “We went from Booty to Ass at quarterback, plain and simple. Phil did not play well today. He’s been great in practice, but it didn’t translate to the field. If we’re going to have any chance of beating UNLV next week, he has to be better.”

Despite the harsh words from his coach, Zach Evans remains confident in his young quarterback. “Phil’s got all the tools. He just needs to trust himself more. Look at the Army game from last year—we’ve seen what he can do when he’s confident. I believe in him, and I know the whole team does too.”

On the other side, Wyoming introduced their new starting quarterback, Micah Alejado, following the graduation of Evan Svoboda. Alejado had a rough debut, throwing for just 71 yards, 1 touchdown, and 3 interceptions. Running back Darius McIver was a bright spot, rushing for 175 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, while Tyler King, the reigning 2025 Heisman Trophy winner, caught a 43-yard touchdown as part of his 70-yard receiving day.

The real controversy of the game, however, came late in the fourth quarter when Wyoming was trailing by three. On fourth down, a potential game-changing play occurred when Wyoming appeared to be on the receiving end of blatant defensive pass interference. The no-call infuriated the Wyoming sideline and the entire state, leading to widespread complaints to the AAC office.

Coach Joey Clayton didn’t hold back when asked about the no-call: “That was horseshit. I don’t know how you miss that call in that situation. I’m surprised the fans didn’t rain water bottles after seeing that replay. I’ll probably get fined for this, but it was bullshit not to throw the flag there.”

Despite the loss, Tyler King remains confident in Wyoming’s ability to bounce back: “It was a rough day for sure, but we’ve got the right guys in this locker room. We’ll get things right against FCS West next week, and we’ll be back on track.”

As UNT prepares to host UNLV in Week 2, Wyoming will regroup and aim to get their season back on course against FCS West.

Texas 49, Texas State 0

In a game that Texas State fans might want to forget, Texas State fell to the Texas Longhorns 49-0 in their season opener. The box score warrants a NSFW warning, as Texas State’s offense struggled mightily against the SEC powerhouse. Sophomore quarterback PJ Hatter managed just 37 passing yards and threw 3 interceptions, while senior running back Jaylen Jenkins was held to 29 rushing yards. Senior wide receiver Chris Dawn Jr. led the receiving corps with a mere 16 receiving yards.

Despite the blowout, Coach Uncle Matt wasn’t concerned about the lopsided scoreline. “Look, we weren’t trying to show too much today. We’ve got our rivalry game against UTSA next week, and that’s where our focus is. We made a lot of money playing Texas, so who really lost here?” Coach Uncle Matt quipped with a grin.

While the game may have been one-sided, the goals for the Bobcats remain unchanged. “We’ve got our eyes on the bigger picture,” Uncle Matt explained. “A Week 1 loss to an SEC team doesn’t change our season’s goals. We’re still building, especially after losing some key pieces from last year’s team. We’re experimenting with a more dynamic offense, but it takes time to see what we have this year.”

Texas State will have to regroup quickly as they prepare for the Battle of I-35 against UTSA in Week 2. Uncle Matt remains confident that the loss to Texas will have no bearing on their rivalry game: “UTSA is where our focus is now. We’ll be ready for that one.”

Troy 52, Missouri 20

Troy made a statement in Week 1, going into SEC territory and dominating Missouri in a convincing 52-20 victory. In a surprising move, Coach Khail Sharp opted to start junior quarterback Dylan Lonergan over last year’s starter Tucker Kilcrease, and the decision paid off. Lonergan responded to the challenge by throwing for 238 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception, completing 24 of 28 passes. He also added a rushing touchdown, cementing himself as a strong dual-threat presence in the offense.

Lonergan wasn’t the only standout performer on the day. Sophomore running back Nazir Tolson contributed 85 rushing yards and 42 receiving yards, while junior running back Nick Goodin added a monster performance with 134 receiving yards and 1 touchdown. On the offensive line, junior right guard Tyler Bell had a dominant day, racking up 14 pancake blocks.

On defense, Troy forced Missouri into 4 interceptions, with junior cornerback LJ Green taking one back 47 yards for a pick six, helping the defense impose its will on Missouri throughout the game.

After the game, Coach Khail Sharp expressed his pride in the team’s performance, especially Lonergan’s debut as a starter: “Dylan showed today why Troy is the team to watch in C-USA. To go into a hostile SEC environment and win in dominating fashion—that’s a testament to this group. Dylan was poised, the defense made huge plays, and we’ve got a team that’s ready to make some noise this season.”

Lonergan, though new to the starting role, was humble in his post-game comments, praising the teammate he replaced: “I felt comfortable out there, but I have to give a lot of credit to Tucker [Kilcrease]. He’s been an amazing teammate, always helping me prepare. This win is just as much his as it is mine.”

With this emphatic win behind them, Troy will look to carry the momentum into Week 2 when they face FCS West.

Tulane 41, Duke 28

In a hard-fought contest, Tulane pulled away from Duke in the fourth quarter to secure a 41-28 victory. The game was tied heading into the final quarter, but the Green Wave found another gear late, outscoring Duke by 13 points to claim the win. Freshman quarterback Leeroy Jenkins made an impressive debut, throwing for 358 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception, completing 25 of 38 passes. His poise in the closing moments was key to Tulane’s victory.

Junior running back Trey Cornist powered the ground game, racking up 121 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns on 17 carries. Senior wide receiver Shazz Preston was a constant threat through the air, finishing with 9 catches, 213 yards, and a touchdown. On defense, junior strong safety Tre’Von Palmer came up big, snagging one of Malik Murphy’s two interceptions and taking it 34 yards for a pick-six.

After the game, Leeroy Jenkins couldn’t hide his excitement about his debut and his Southern roots shone through in his remarks: “Man, I’m just so excited to be here at Tulane. You know, North Carolina’s got some fine tobacco, but I’m fixin’ to bring a championship back home to New Orleans. We gonna keep on rollin’!”

Coach Fran Chione spoke about the difficult decision to start the freshman Jenkins over senior Zeon Chriss: “It wasn’t an easy call to go with Leeroy over Zeon, but we felt like this was the right step for the future of this team. We’ve had two straight playoff appearances, and this program demands excellence. This was a step in the right direction for us, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to face a strong team like South Alabama next week.”

With their first win of the season under their belt, Tulane looks ahead to a highly anticipated matchup against South Alabama in Week 2.

USF 45, FIU 24

USF opened the 2026 season with a solid 45-24 victory over FIU, powered by a strong offensive performance from senior quarterback Byrum Brown. Brown threw for 413 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions, completing 31 of 43 passes in what he hopes will be the start of a standout final season. 4-star freshman Eric McCareins also made his mark in his Bulls debut, rushing for 52 yards and a touchdown, while adding 28 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown. Jeyquan Smith led the way through the air with 10 catches, 166 yards, and 2 touchdowns, showing early chemistry with Brown.

On defense, the Bulls were able to force FIU into 3 interceptions, with senior Earl Breeze taking one back 41 yards for a pick-six, sealing the game.

After the win, Coach Bryan Marin expressed optimism about his team’s potential in the AAC this season: “We’ve got a chance to make some real noise in the conference this year. We came up just short in 2025, but this team has the talent and determination to get over the hump. Next week’s test against Alabama is going to be a great opportunity for us to show what we’re truly capable of. We’re excited to see how we stack up.”

Byrum Brown was eager to get his senior campaign started on the right foot. “I’ve been looking forward to this season all offseason. It’s my last go-around, and I’m ready to make it my best year yet. Jeyquan [Smith] and I knew coming into this season that it’s going to be on us to carry the offense. We’ve got great chemistry, and we’re ready to take this team to the next level.”

With the victory behind them, USF now faces a massive test in Week 2 as they travel to Tuscaloosa to face the #6 Alabama Crimson Tide. It will be a defining moment for the Bulls as they look to build on their promising start.

2026 Power Rankings (Week 2)

1. Troy (1-0)

Last Game: Defeated Missouri 52-20

Key Takeaway: Troy went into SEC territory and dominated Missouri, making them the team to beat in C-USA. With junior QB Dylan Lonergan impressing in his first start, Troy looks like they’re ready to make a serious run.

2. Arkansas State (1-0)

Last Game: Defeated Memphis 63-7

Key Takeaway: Despite some locker room rumblings over the QB decision, Connor Wojciechowski shined with his dual-threat ability. Arkansas State looks every bit as dominant as they did last year, but how they manage internal dynamics will be key.

3. Tulane (1-0)

Last Game: Defeated Duke 41-28

Key Takeaway: Freshman QB Leeroy Jenkins had an impressive debut, and Tulane’s defense delivered big plays when it mattered. After two straight playoff appearances, Tulane looks ready to continue their momentum and challenge for the top spot in the AAC.

4. Coastal Carolina (1-0)

Last Game: Defeated FCS West 128-30

Key Takeaway: A historic offensive showing, with QB Ethan Vasko throwing for 908 yards and 11 touchdowns. Coastal is out to prove they’re one of the most explosive teams in the nation.

5. South Alabama (1-0)

Last Game: Defeated Ohio 38-26

Key Takeaway: With a defense and special teams that turned the game on its head, Bishop Davenport’s leadership combined with big plays makes South Alabama a contender in their new Mountain West home.

6. UNLV (1-0)

Last Game: Defeated Cal 92-7

Key Takeaway: UNLV made a bold move switching Santi Melendez to running back, but the decision seems to have paid off with Tavarus Cargile throwing for 11 touchdowns in his debut. UNLV looks dangerous and versatile.

7. USF (1-0)

Last Game: Defeated FIU 45-24

Key Takeaway: Byrum Brown threw for over 400 yards, leading an impressive offensive performance. With a strong defensive showing, the Bulls look ready to make noise in the AAC, but a big test looms against Alabama.

8. Nevada (1-0)

Last Game: Defeated UCLA 44-17

Key Takeaway: True freshman QB Marco Knight dazzled in his debut with 405 passing yards and 4 touchdowns. Nevada is a sleeper team with the potential to keep climbing the rankings if Knight keeps performing.

9. UNT (1-0)

Last Game: Defeated Wyoming 31-14

Key Takeaway: Despite a shaky start from freshman QB Phil McCutcheon, UNT’s defense and Zach Evans helped carry the team to a win. But McCutcheon will need to step up to keep UNT competitive, especially with UNLV on deck.

10. Wyoming (0-1)

Last Game: Lost to UNT 31-14

Key Takeaway: Micah Alejado struggled in his first start, but the running game, led by Darius McIver, showed promise. A controversial no-call marred what could have been a comeback effort, but Wyoming needs more consistency at QB moving forward.

11. Texas State (0-1)

Last Game: Lost to Texas 49-0

Key Takeaway: The Bobcats were overmatched by Texas, but Coach Uncle Matt isn’t too concerned, citing the big payday and the fact that they were holding back ahead of their rivalry game. Texas State’s true test will come in Week 2 against UTSA.

12. East Carolina (0-1)

Last Game: Lost to West Virginia 32-11

Key Takeaway: ECU struggled in their opener, but there’s more to the story. Head Coach Mike Peach is currently away from the team in a coma, and his absence has left a noticeable impact. The Pirates will need to rally if they want to salvage their season.

Game of the Week: Who you got?

• Tulane
• South Alabama