news-record.com

GREENVILLE (AP) — East Carolina has gone from struggling to alone atop Conference USA's East Division.

The Pirates (3-2 overall, 2-0 in C-USA) have won two straight games after a 1-2 start and find themselves as the only unbeaten team in the division race heading into Saturday's trip to SMU.

It's why coach Skip Holtz told his players they're in a good news-bad news situation after their latest victory.

"The bad news is, everywhere you go, not only are you the defending Conference USA Champion, but also the team currently in first place in the East Division," Holtz said. "We know we're going to get everybody's best shot. We know everybody is going to be fired up, emotional and ready to play against us.

"We need to make sure that from emotional, focus, attitude and preparation standpoints that we're doing all the little things we have to do in order to be a good football team."

East Carolina had lost consecutive games at West Virginia and North Carolina after a season-opening win against Appalachian State. But East Carolina responded by beating Central Florida, then followed by winning on the road against Marshall. The offense has improved slightly, scoring touchdowns in the second half for two straight games after failing to do so in the 1-2 start.

Holtz was annoyed, however, by the team's 10 penalties against Marshall.

"We've got to get those cleaned up," Holtz said. "We still have too many of those for being this late in the season. We're making the same mistakes, over and over and over. We have to continue to get better."