East Carolina defeats William & Mary but the win raises more questions than answers

East Carolina avoided a demoralizing loss surviving with a 19-7 win over William & Mary on Saturday night. The Pirates are now .500 on the season but still there is major concern as there are numerous questions for this Pirates team.

The hero of the game was kicker Jake Verity, as Verity’s four field goals proved to be the difference. Holton Ahlers went 20-34 for 210 yards and a score.

Ahlers hit Anthony Watley for a 20-yard TD to cap a nine play, 75 yard opening drive as the Pirates never trailed. However, William & Mary showed some real fight as they nodded the game at 7 with a 20-yard run by Tyler Crist early in the second quarter.

The offense for the Pirates has been unable to really show any explosiveness besides the victory over Gardner-Webb. ECU is averaging not even 12 points a game in the other three contests including Saturday night’s affair.

The Pirates were able to amass for 480 total yards but could not convert in crucial situations, leading to the field goal attempts. Verity made kicks of 31, 33, 22 and 45 yards. In the American Conference, this team has to be able to score touchdowns. Not settle for field goals.

The rushing attack was able to have some life even with Darius Pinnix Jr. sidelined with a neck injury, Tay Williams (5 carries for 72 yards) and Trace Christian (14 carries for 91 yards) picked up the slack combining for 162 yards running.

Defensively the team was stout with seven tackles for loss and held the Tribe to 260 total yards. It did help facing the Tribe’s backup quarterback as dual-threat quarterback Hollis Mathis was knocked out of the game. Backup Kilton Anderson went 10-22 for 94 yards and an interception.

Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Pirates avoided disaster this week but now will travel on the road to Old Dominion on Saturday. Will the offense be able to get on track is the question?

The team has been extremely inconsistent and not to say anything skeptical, but their only wins are against FCS opponents.

As for the Tribe of William & Mary, they will be traveling on the road as well to play Albany.