East Carolina has rebounded from a bumpy start to the season and enters November chasing a Conference USA crown.
The Pirates (4-4, 3-1) meet Southern Mississippi (7-1, 3-1) on Saturday, with the winner taking sole possession of first place in the league's East Division standings. They've won three straight games after a 1-4 start to the season, which included losses to South Carolina and Virginia Tech as well as a 56-3 loss at Houston.
But the Pirates regrouped by winning road games at Memphis and Navy — which had scored 76 points against ECU last year — then rolled past Tulane at home over the weekend.
Coach Ruffin McNeill said Monday he wants his players focused on doing what has gotten them to this point instead of the chance for the division edge.
"I talked to the players about our overall goals, but then get immediately back to what's at hand," McNeill said. "I'm better at making sure we're darn good at one thing than trying to be OK at 10 things. I'd rather focus on what we're doing right now."
The Pirates will be shorthanded as starting tailback Reggie Bullock will miss his second straight game because of a thigh injury. Second-leading receiver Justin Hardy is questionable as he recovers from a knee injury.
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