Tulsa Golden Hurricane Faces Off Against East Carolina in Crucial AAC Matchup

The University of Tulsa‘s Golden Hurricane is set to host the East Carolina Pirates in a pivotal American Athletic Conference (AAC) matchup on Thursday, November 14, 2024. The game, scheduled for 7:30 PM ET at Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium in Tulsa, Oklahoma, will be broadcast on ESPN[3].

East Carolina, led by interim head coach Blake Harrell, comes into the game with a 5-4 overall record and a 3-2 mark in the AAC. The Pirates have been impressive under Harrell, winning their last two games by a combined score of 105-48. Key players for ECU include quarterback Katin Houser, who has thrown for 1,028 yards and 13 touchdowns in his last three games, and wide receiver Winston Wright Jr., who has 36 catches for 424 yards and six touchdowns.

Tulsa, with a 3-6 overall record and 1-4 in the AAC, is looking to bounce back from a 59-21 loss to UAB. The Golden Hurricane need to win their remaining three games to achieve bowl eligibility. Tulsa’s offense is led by quarterback Cooper Legas and wide receiver Kamdyn Benjamin, who has 55 receptions for 683 yards and five touchdowns. The team also boasts a strong rushing attack, with four players having over 205 yards on the ground this season, led by Bill Jackson with 296 yards[2].

The betting lines favor East Carolina, with the Pirates listed as 14.5-point favorites and an over/under of 62.5 points. East Carolina has covered just once in four road games this season, but Tulsa has struggled as a home underdog, covering only once in their last eight such games. The Pirates’ recent form and Tulsa’s defensive vulnerabilities make ECU a strong contender to cover the spread[2].

This matchup is part of a series that dates back to 1984, with Tulsa currently leading 9-8 after winning the last four meetings. Last season, Tulsa won 29-27 on a field goal by K Chase Meyer with one second left[3]).