GREENVILLE — The Pirates head into Saturday’s bout with Conference USA newcomers Florida International as 20-point favorites, but motivation shouldn’t be a problem as East Carolina can clinch bowl eligibility with a win over the Panthers.
With their 55-14 victory over Southern Miss, the Pirates (5-2, 3-1) went into their second bye week of the season on the cusp of capturing head coach Ruffin McNeill’s third postseason appearance in his four years with the program, and the potential bowl berth should keep ECU from overlooking the Panthers (1-6, 1-2).
“It’s very important for us to be bowl eligible every year we’re here,” McNeill said on Monday. “We’ve missed it one time since I’ve been here and I haven’t missed it many times during my time coaching.”
Saturday’s 6 p.m. kickoff inside Alfonso Field in Miami will mark the first ever meeting between the two teams.
The Panthers picked up their first win of the season by narrowly topping Southern Miss, 24-23, but have lost two straight since, with their last one being a 23-7 defeat at the hands of Louisiana Tech.

Keith out for the season
On Monday it was announced that sophomore backup quarterback Cody Keith will be out for the season with an elbow injury. Keith saw his first extended action of the season in ECU’s last game as he completed a career-high four passes in six attempts for 46 yards during the Pirates romp over the Golden Eagles.
With Keith out, true freshman Kurt Benkert now stands potentially one snap away from being the Pirates first-string quarterback.
“Cody Keith will be out this season so we activated Kurt Benkert, we did that (Sunday) night,” McNeill said. “Kurt is now taking second team reps and he’s excited.”
Benkert, a 6-3, 205-pound Florida native, threw for 2,261 yards at Island Coast High School and has strong arm and competitive spirit.
“He’s smart. He has a really good arm with good zip and he understands the offense because he played in a similar offense in high school,” McNeill said. “He’s gone against our defense everyday in practice, and not only did he not back down, but he challenged them.”

Hardy eyes No. 1 spot
After catching 10 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown against USM, junior wide receiver Justin Hardy now stands one touchdown reception away from tying Lance Lewis’ career mark of 22.
Hardy has been red-hot in his last two games, catching a total of 27 passes for 356 yards to bring his season total to 67 receptions for 765 yards and four scores.
On Monday McNeill credited the West Craven native’s work ethic for his rise up the record books.
“He competes and works every snap. He competes like he’s fighting for his job,” McNeill said. “… He’s humble and he’s always continuously working on an aspect of his skill set.”
The 6’0” 186-pounder’s 9.6 receptions per game is the third-highest total in the country, while his 109 receiving yards per contest ranks fifth.
Hardy, who has 219 career receptions, also stands 50 catches away from breaking Harris’ school-record for career catches.

Injury report
East Carolina is expected to be without starting right tackle Adhem Elsawi this Saturday, who is listed as questionable with an eye injury. Taking his place with be 6-5, 325-pound sophomore Tre Robertson, who will be making his first career start.
Inside linebacker Jeremy Grove will also be on the sideline Saturday as he continues to rehab a shoulder/chest injury sustained in early September. Sophomore ILB Zeek Bigger, the team’s fourth-leading tackler with 39 stops, will start in his absence.