GREENVILLE — It’s a dream come true of sorts for sophomore running back Shawn Furlow, a Greenville native who grew up watching East Carolina football, as he will make his first career home start for the Pirates Saturday against Connecticut.

Junior back Anthony Scott’s 120-yard performance in the season opener gave hope to Pirate fans that he could bring shades of Vintavious Cooper or Breon Allen. However, fumbles against N.C. State, South Carolina and most recently a two-fumble game against Cincinnati has left head coach Scottie Montgomery with no other option than to move to other backs to handle the load.

Last week, James Summers took the lead back role and rushed for 95 yards against a staunch Cincinnati defense. This week, it will be Furlow’s turn to try to spark an ECU offense that is averaging just 20 points over the Pirates’ five-game losing streak.

The Pirates have some of the most lost fumbles in the nation, tied for No. 120 out of 128 Football Bowl Subdivision schools, with eight lost in seven games.

“We already took one step in addressing (the turnover problems) by giving Shawn Furlow the opportunity to handle the ball,” Montgomery said Tuesday evening. “And I hate talking about that because everyone thinks I’m talking negatively about Anthony and I’m not. I love our kids. When they hurt, I hurt, and I know Anthony is hurting right now.”

Furlow was used mostly on special teams before the recent move to start him at running back. Former ECU head coach Ruffin McNeill gave Furlow a shot as a true freshman in 2015. He appeared in nine games after having his redshirt removed three games into the season. He finished the year with 83 yards on 25 carries, including a 47-yard game against SMU last year in his only other career start.

He said keeping things simple and calm was critical this week for him as he prepares to make his first start of the season.

“(The preparation) isn’t any different, I’m still out here attacking the day to get better,” Furlow said. “I’m just looking to help the team improve.”

Furlow attended South Central in Greenville, and will have a host of family and friends on hand to see his first start inside Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. As a Falcon, Furlow rushed for 904 yards and had 110 receiving yards as a senior, resulting in nine total touchdowns.

Starting in front of the hometown crowd is everything Furlow had hoped for at this point in his career at ECU.

“For the most part, it is a dream come true,” Furlow said. “Just being at ECU and growing up, being around here as a youngin and all of that interaction. Now, being able to actually go out and play on the field and having a chance to produce is great.”

Furlow said watching Scott struggle has been difficult for him and the running back corps. He said the family atmosphere of the team has helped in picking up his backfield counterpart.

Keeping his confidence level up isn’t an issue for Scott. He said it’s more about looking to the future and facing the challenge head on.

“My confidence really never drops, I just know I have something to work on,” Scott said. “Everybody has something to work on so right now I’m focused on keeping the ball high and tight and making sure I’m protecting it when I’m in traffic.”