August 5, 2025 • 11 mins
The guys tell you what they expect from the East Carolina offense this season, including quarterback Katian Houser.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
It's the sound you've waited much to hear. It's caused
some of your greatest try and I'll player it's with
a fitter team today and they went at twenty seven
to twenty two, and your biggest heartbreaks.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
Johnson bounces afful one, he's de up.
Speaker 3 (00:16):
Johnson to the outside, has a chance for race.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Goodball.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
It's the option at Georgia Tech. It's Howard's rock, the
smoke in Miami and every Saturday you tap that sign
college football is here.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
So Yo talked a little about the ECU offense just yesterday.
It was actually quite good, the passing attack, especially with
that switch to quarterback Cayton Howser. After watching Garcia not
play all that well in the first handful of games
or so for ECU last year. Once Kayden Howser took
over to the offense at the midway point, everything click.
(00:59):
He threw for over two thousand yards through for eighteen touchdowns.
He did turn it over just a little bit with
eleven interceptions, but at least you had a respectable passing
touchdown to interception. Ratio mentioned this stat yesterday as well.
The overall offensive attack and is twenty fourth in the nation.
Flounder in total yards and the average thirty two points
(01:19):
a game. Clearly, it all revolves around the quarterback. And
if you care about not only the traditional stats that
you evaluate when dissecting quarterback play, but you look at
some of the analytics. I'd look at all the quarterbacks
that played at least twenty percent of the snaps in
college football last year. Caten Hawser's passing grade is right
there on the front page. He actually came in at
(01:40):
forty seventh in terms of the best passers measured by
Pro Football Focus. I'll absolutely take that for my ECU program.
He was two spots ahead of a guy like DJ
Lagway when it came to throwing the football, so impressive stuff.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
The real question.
Speaker 3 (01:55):
Is, is How'ser the real deal? Or did he beat up
on bad competition last year, which is the entire conversation
not only surrounding the QB but the offense altogether. I'm
gonna go ahead and believe in Howser as the real
deal quarterback.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
I understand the interceptions, those.
Speaker 3 (02:11):
Have to come down, but this is a guy thrown
into a really tough situation last year. The back half
of the season, he was clearly better than the person
that started in front of him. Maybe not as many
touchdown passes the last month or so of college football,
but also they were beating up on a lot of
these teams. I'm one that thinks he's totally legit heading
into twenty twenty five.
Speaker 4 (02:31):
Yeah, and I thought he played well against NC State,
So I mean that's one of the toughest teams that
he would have to face. You look at this year,
you know, having to go on the road to State,
but after that, you know, things open up a little bit.
BYU A game that was supposed to be really tough,
I think is you know, a little less difficult now
now that they don't have Jake Retzlof. They're kind of
(02:52):
panicking trying to find their quarterback after he ended up transferring.
So I mean, yeah, man, I think this offense and
sets up to potentially have success. Now they did lose
a lot from last year. They only have four starters returning.
I think the biggest concern for them is are they
going to be able to run the football because Roger
(03:12):
Harris is gone and last year one thousand yard back,
eleven touchdowns on the ground. I mean, he is he
was a legit running back and the real deal for
this team, and then you lose some crucial receivers as well. Now,
the good news is that you do return your leading
receiver from last year, and Anthony Smith, who is an
explosive playmaker seven or excuse me, forty one catches. Turn
(03:37):
that into seven hundred and ninety nine yards and six touchdowns.
That is nineteen point five yards per reception.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
That is ridiculous.
Speaker 4 (03:46):
You talk about a big play threat, that's exactly what
he is. So you get him back, and you get
Janick Smith back, who also made some big plays for
you last year. I think this passing game is going
to be in really good shape. The biggest concern for
me is how good is this running game going to be?
And what do they do with an offensive line that
returns just one player for me a year ago?
Speaker 3 (04:08):
Yeah, pretty good though. Jamerian McCrimmon, I believe. I don't
know if it's mccrimean, as I was just making fun
of Fitty for not being able to pronounce stuff.
Speaker 2 (04:14):
Here I am with the name that I'm not.
Speaker 3 (04:16):
Sure, but Jamerian Jamarion McCrimmon is back at the tackle spot.
Oh it's too excuse me, big dude. By the way,
six three hundred and twenty six pounds. They're starting tackle.
Oh excuse me, six three hundred and twenty six pounds.
It is Poku, Emmanuel Poku who will be starting at
either tackle or guards.
Speaker 4 (04:33):
It's also returning, so yeah, they do have two returning
starters along that offensive front.
Speaker 3 (04:37):
Big dudes, big dudes up front. I'm actually I'm a
believer in this offense. I think that ECU will still
continue to do some nice things. Now you mentioned some
of those guys that are coming back, just to dive
into them a little bit more so, not only do
you have the big guys up front. You mentioned the
running game. Raji Harris is gone, but Lenda Montgomery, Marlin Gunn,
(04:57):
those are the vets in the backfield. They combined for
close to six hundred yards. They had five scores last year.
So I'm not sure exactly who the leading back is
going to be. When I think of VCU offense, though,
I always think about what is a pretty good quarterback
history that they have, and I also think of a
really good wide receiver history that they have. The passing attack,
(05:18):
is that going to be something that continues with Blake
Carroll as their head coach, who actually has been in
the ECU system for quite some time. This is I
believe his sixth year with the Pirates. If not his sixth,
that's his seventh. But he's been in the system in
some way, shape or form for quite some time now.
So I do wonder if ECU kind of gets back
to what they look like in the old days. I'm
(05:40):
not saying that we're going to see hold Nayler's running
all over the place. I'm not going to tell you
that we see all of this phenomenal QB play from Houser.
I do trust him enough to where this offense can
be for real going into next season. Even if they
are losing some guys, I think that they're going to
get somewhere close to what the Pirates used to look
like when they were eencing more success.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
Yeah, and I think, you know, I I with the
running game. You know, there are some things to like
about the guys that are in this room.
Speaker 4 (06:07):
I mean Marlon Gunn Junior, who you talked about back
fully healthy after I think getting banged up last year,
you know, trying to get back to his five point
one yards per carry that he had as a freshman.
You've also got Porker Jenkins, the transfer from Houston who
comes over in that room, who I think is gonna
be pretty solid as well.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
Had a big freshman year.
Speaker 4 (06:28):
It didn't really play a whole lot last year, but
you're hoping he can sort of turn back the clock
a little bit. And then you talked about London Montgomery.
That's the guy that's the leading rusher coming back from
last year where he averaged five point one yards of
carry on seventy one carries. So I think there is
some potential in that backfield. I don't know if you're
gonna find another thousand yard rusher. There might be two
(06:48):
or three guys that really factor in back there and
give you a pretty solid running game. But if they
can get that, then I think you've got the passing
game to be able to compete. Because we haven't even
mentioned the Oklahoma trans for Jaquezi Petaway. And Petaway who
comes in, you know, and I think has a chance
to be a really good player for East Carolina after
(07:11):
his time at Oklahoma. So I think this this group
is I'm not gonna say loaded, but I think they're
in a really good spot. This again, very similar to
NC State, and this is what's gonna make that first
game of the year very interesting.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
I'm not worried about this team offensively.
Speaker 4 (07:28):
My concern is on the other side of the ball,
because I think this group will be able to score points.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
It's just will they be able to keep up in games.
Speaker 3 (07:35):
Well, they have John David Baker in his second season
as offensive coordinator, and let's just go over some of
the ranks that this offense finished in last year. Mentioned
twenty fourth in total yards. They also finished twenty sixth
in passing yards per completion. The offense last year finished
twenty seventh in total passing offense. In twenty twenty four,
(07:56):
you had the five wins in that six game span
that he was in large of, at least offensively. And
you're talking about a nice performance against NC State, including
Harris running for those two hundred and twenty yards that
he ran for in the Military Ball, setting an AAC
Bowl record, ranking second all time in program history behind
(08:16):
the best running back in program history, Chris Johnson CJ
two K. So those are some good numbers that he's
drawing up. If you want to go with these normal
takes that you have when talking about a young offense
going into the next year and discussing the familiarity of
it all. Like most people will point to stability being
(08:37):
a huge thing. We've talked about it with the Carolina
Panthers forever, right the fact that you had first year
OC John David Baker. Now he's going into a second
season with that kind of success that he had in
twenty twenty four, and you have the quarterback that you
know for sure is going to be your guy. We
can mention how much stability helps with all of these teams.
It's no different when pointing to ECU, and so perhaps
(08:57):
you're missing some of these skill guys that you have
last year, but the stability that you have with your
OC and your quarterback, that's I think going to go
a long way in twenty twenty five. Also, any finishing
thoughts on ECU's offense and what you expect from that unit, I.
Speaker 4 (09:12):
Think, honestly, with what I've pointed out, I do think
that this is a start that should allow them to
sort of settle in just a little bit, even if
there are some growing pains for some of the younger
guys that are having to step up on offense. I
mean The good news is even it's not even that
it's younger guys, it's just inexperienced guys.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
So they're guys that have been around for a while.
Speaker 4 (09:31):
They've been around Blake Carroll for a while, but now
they're finally being thrust into bigger roles. I mean at
NC State, of course is going to be tough, but
then you've got Campbell early in the season. You've got
Coastal Carolina, who's nowhere near with the Coastal Carolina that
they were when Grayson McCall and those guys were there,
and then BYU, so you've got a chance to sort
of ease yourself in the schedule for this season. I
(09:54):
think also pretty you know, relatively difficult. I think, you know,
trips to Too Lane and you got Army that you
host at home. But I think still manageable, especially down
the stretch of the season. So this offense, even if
they struggle a little bit out of the gate, I
think there's a runway towards the end of the year
where you could see this offense get back to looking
like the offense that they were last year.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
Last thing, I'll mention I talked about it a little
bit with the tight end depth yesterday, it looks like
Ryles to Zirio, Ryles is going to have a bigger
role this season according to some of these ride ups,
and he caught two touchdown passes only ten receptions, but
he looks to have a bigger role. Going back to
what you have an offensive coordinator, John David Baker, he
actually spent three seasons with Ole Miss and All Miss's
(10:37):
passing attack has been lights out in the SEC for
quite some time, and they've had a lot of professional
quarterback experience that you look at, and he was the
passing game coordinator down at All Miss plus the tight
ends coach. So I wonder if John David Baker founder
is going to be one of these guys that gets
a lot of looks. If you do this now for
(10:58):
let's say a full season and a half where that
offense over in ge Vegas looks to be lights out,
He's got to be getting some inquiries from some of
these other bigger schools that might have an OC vacancy.
Is there any head coach? I just wonder if they
do it again with that kind of background, head coach
seems strong, but so.
Speaker 4 (11:19):
Maybe maybe maybe of a team like in the Sunbelt
or something like that. You could see him get an opportunity.
But hey, look, we've seen really good OC's come through
East Carolina before, so yeah, it would not shock me
if he ends up having another successful year, if you
see maybe getting a call up to a power for school.
Speaker 3 (11:36):
I mean, he spent a couple of years with USC,
he spent three years with ole Miss. I mean, he's
had some impressive stops before, just being the doubt right
play caller BCU and so far, so good. So maybe
this is someone that you can capitalize with again in
twenty twenty five. And then if he leaves, then oh
well that means that he performed pretty well for you.
It's the sound you've waited much to hear. It's caused
some of your greatest try and I'll player it's with
a fitter team today and they went at twenty seven
to twenty two, and your biggest heartbreaks.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
Johnson bounces afful one, he's de up.
Speaker 3 (00:16):
Johnson to the outside, has a chance for race.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Goodball.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
It's the option at Georgia Tech. It's Howard's rock, the
smoke in Miami and every Saturday you tap that sign
college football is here.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
So Yo talked a little about the ECU offense just yesterday.
It was actually quite good, the passing attack, especially with
that switch to quarterback Cayton Howser. After watching Garcia not
play all that well in the first handful of games
or so for ECU last year. Once Kayden Howser took
over to the offense at the midway point, everything click.
(00:59):
He threw for over two thousand yards through for eighteen touchdowns.
He did turn it over just a little bit with
eleven interceptions, but at least you had a respectable passing
touchdown to interception. Ratio mentioned this stat yesterday as well.
The overall offensive attack and is twenty fourth in the nation.
Flounder in total yards and the average thirty two points
(01:19):
a game. Clearly, it all revolves around the quarterback. And
if you care about not only the traditional stats that
you evaluate when dissecting quarterback play, but you look at
some of the analytics. I'd look at all the quarterbacks
that played at least twenty percent of the snaps in
college football last year. Caten Hawser's passing grade is right
there on the front page. He actually came in at
(01:40):
forty seventh in terms of the best passers measured by
Pro Football Focus. I'll absolutely take that for my ECU program.
He was two spots ahead of a guy like DJ
Lagway when it came to throwing the football, so impressive stuff.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
The real question.
Speaker 3 (01:55):
Is, is How'ser the real deal? Or did he beat up
on bad competition last year, which is the entire conversation
not only surrounding the QB but the offense altogether. I'm
gonna go ahead and believe in Howser as the real
deal quarterback.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
I understand the interceptions, those.
Speaker 3 (02:11):
Have to come down, but this is a guy thrown
into a really tough situation last year. The back half
of the season, he was clearly better than the person
that started in front of him. Maybe not as many
touchdown passes the last month or so of college football,
but also they were beating up on a lot of
these teams. I'm one that thinks he's totally legit heading
into twenty twenty five.
Speaker 4 (02:31):
Yeah, and I thought he played well against NC State,
So I mean that's one of the toughest teams that
he would have to face. You look at this year,
you know, having to go on the road to State,
but after that, you know, things open up a little bit.
BYU A game that was supposed to be really tough,
I think is you know, a little less difficult now
now that they don't have Jake Retzlof. They're kind of
(02:52):
panicking trying to find their quarterback after he ended up transferring.
So I mean, yeah, man, I think this offense and
sets up to potentially have success. Now they did lose
a lot from last year. They only have four starters returning.
I think the biggest concern for them is are they
going to be able to run the football because Roger
(03:12):
Harris is gone and last year one thousand yard back,
eleven touchdowns on the ground. I mean, he is he
was a legit running back and the real deal for
this team, and then you lose some crucial receivers as well. Now,
the good news is that you do return your leading
receiver from last year, and Anthony Smith, who is an
explosive playmaker seven or excuse me, forty one catches. Turn
(03:37):
that into seven hundred and ninety nine yards and six touchdowns.
That is nineteen point five yards per reception.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
That is ridiculous.
Speaker 4 (03:46):
You talk about a big play threat, that's exactly what
he is. So you get him back, and you get
Janick Smith back, who also made some big plays for
you last year. I think this passing game is going
to be in really good shape. The biggest concern for
me is how good is this running game going to be?
And what do they do with an offensive line that
returns just one player for me a year ago?
Speaker 3 (04:08):
Yeah, pretty good though. Jamerian McCrimmon, I believe. I don't
know if it's mccrimean, as I was just making fun
of Fitty for not being able to pronounce stuff.
Speaker 2 (04:14):
Here I am with the name that I'm not.
Speaker 3 (04:16):
Sure, but Jamerian Jamarion McCrimmon is back at the tackle spot.
Oh it's too excuse me, big dude. By the way,
six three hundred and twenty six pounds. They're starting tackle.
Oh excuse me, six three hundred and twenty six pounds.
It is Poku, Emmanuel Poku who will be starting at
either tackle or guards.
Speaker 4 (04:33):
It's also returning, so yeah, they do have two returning
starters along that offensive front.
Speaker 3 (04:37):
Big dudes, big dudes up front. I'm actually I'm a
believer in this offense. I think that ECU will still
continue to do some nice things. Now you mentioned some
of those guys that are coming back, just to dive
into them a little bit more so, not only do
you have the big guys up front. You mentioned the
running game. Raji Harris is gone, but Lenda Montgomery, Marlin Gunn,
(04:57):
those are the vets in the backfield. They combined for
close to six hundred yards. They had five scores last year.
So I'm not sure exactly who the leading back is
going to be. When I think of VCU offense, though,
I always think about what is a pretty good quarterback
history that they have, and I also think of a
really good wide receiver history that they have. The passing attack,
(05:18):
is that going to be something that continues with Blake
Carroll as their head coach, who actually has been in
the ECU system for quite some time. This is I
believe his sixth year with the Pirates. If not his sixth,
that's his seventh. But he's been in the system in
some way, shape or form for quite some time now.
So I do wonder if ECU kind of gets back
to what they look like in the old days. I'm
(05:40):
not saying that we're going to see hold Nayler's running
all over the place. I'm not going to tell you
that we see all of this phenomenal QB play from Houser.
I do trust him enough to where this offense can
be for real going into next season. Even if they
are losing some guys, I think that they're going to
get somewhere close to what the Pirates used to look
like when they were eencing more success.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
Yeah, and I think, you know, I I with the
running game. You know, there are some things to like
about the guys that are in this room.
Speaker 4 (06:07):
I mean Marlon Gunn Junior, who you talked about back
fully healthy after I think getting banged up last year,
you know, trying to get back to his five point
one yards per carry that he had as a freshman.
You've also got Porker Jenkins, the transfer from Houston who
comes over in that room, who I think is gonna
be pretty solid as well.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
Had a big freshman year.
Speaker 4 (06:28):
It didn't really play a whole lot last year, but
you're hoping he can sort of turn back the clock
a little bit. And then you talked about London Montgomery.
That's the guy that's the leading rusher coming back from
last year where he averaged five point one yards of
carry on seventy one carries. So I think there is
some potential in that backfield. I don't know if you're
gonna find another thousand yard rusher. There might be two
(06:48):
or three guys that really factor in back there and
give you a pretty solid running game. But if they
can get that, then I think you've got the passing
game to be able to compete. Because we haven't even
mentioned the Oklahoma trans for Jaquezi Petaway. And Petaway who
comes in, you know, and I think has a chance
to be a really good player for East Carolina after
(07:11):
his time at Oklahoma. So I think this this group
is I'm not gonna say loaded, but I think they're
in a really good spot. This again, very similar to
NC State, and this is what's gonna make that first
game of the year very interesting.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
I'm not worried about this team offensively.
Speaker 4 (07:28):
My concern is on the other side of the ball,
because I think this group will be able to score points.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
It's just will they be able to keep up in games.
Speaker 3 (07:35):
Well, they have John David Baker in his second season
as offensive coordinator, and let's just go over some of
the ranks that this offense finished in last year. Mentioned
twenty fourth in total yards. They also finished twenty sixth
in passing yards per completion. The offense last year finished
twenty seventh in total passing offense. In twenty twenty four,
(07:56):
you had the five wins in that six game span
that he was in large of, at least offensively. And
you're talking about a nice performance against NC State, including
Harris running for those two hundred and twenty yards that
he ran for in the Military Ball, setting an AAC
Bowl record, ranking second all time in program history behind
(08:16):
the best running back in program history, Chris Johnson CJ
two K. So those are some good numbers that he's
drawing up. If you want to go with these normal
takes that you have when talking about a young offense
going into the next year and discussing the familiarity of
it all. Like most people will point to stability being
(08:37):
a huge thing. We've talked about it with the Carolina
Panthers forever, right the fact that you had first year
OC John David Baker. Now he's going into a second
season with that kind of success that he had in
twenty twenty four, and you have the quarterback that you
know for sure is going to be your guy. We
can mention how much stability helps with all of these teams.
It's no different when pointing to ECU, and so perhaps
(08:57):
you're missing some of these skill guys that you have
last year, but the stability that you have with your
OC and your quarterback, that's I think going to go
a long way in twenty twenty five. Also, any finishing
thoughts on ECU's offense and what you expect from that unit, I.
Speaker 4 (09:12):
Think, honestly, with what I've pointed out, I do think
that this is a start that should allow them to
sort of settle in just a little bit, even if
there are some growing pains for some of the younger
guys that are having to step up on offense. I
mean The good news is even it's not even that
it's younger guys, it's just inexperienced guys.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
So they're guys that have been around for a while.
Speaker 4 (09:31):
They've been around Blake Carroll for a while, but now
they're finally being thrust into bigger roles. I mean at
NC State, of course is going to be tough, but
then you've got Campbell early in the season. You've got
Coastal Carolina, who's nowhere near with the Coastal Carolina that
they were when Grayson McCall and those guys were there,
and then BYU, so you've got a chance to sort
of ease yourself in the schedule for this season. I
(09:54):
think also pretty you know, relatively difficult. I think, you know,
trips to Too Lane and you got Army that you
host at home. But I think still manageable, especially down
the stretch of the season. So this offense, even if
they struggle a little bit out of the gate, I
think there's a runway towards the end of the year
where you could see this offense get back to looking
like the offense that they were last year.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
Last thing, I'll mention I talked about it a little
bit with the tight end depth yesterday, it looks like
Ryles to Zirio, Ryles is going to have a bigger
role this season according to some of these ride ups,
and he caught two touchdown passes only ten receptions, but
he looks to have a bigger role. Going back to
what you have an offensive coordinator, John David Baker, he
actually spent three seasons with Ole Miss and All Miss's
(10:37):
passing attack has been lights out in the SEC for
quite some time, and they've had a lot of professional
quarterback experience that you look at, and he was the
passing game coordinator down at All Miss plus the tight
ends coach. So I wonder if John David Baker founder
is going to be one of these guys that gets
a lot of looks. If you do this now for
(10:58):
let's say a full season and a half where that
offense over in ge Vegas looks to be lights out,
He's got to be getting some inquiries from some of
these other bigger schools that might have an OC vacancy.
Is there any head coach? I just wonder if they
do it again with that kind of background, head coach
seems strong, but so.
Speaker 4 (11:19):
Maybe maybe maybe of a team like in the Sunbelt
or something like that. You could see him get an opportunity.
But hey, look, we've seen really good OC's come through
East Carolina before, so yeah, it would not shock me
if he ends up having another successful year, if you
see maybe getting a call up to a power for school.
Speaker 3 (11:36):
I mean, he spent a couple of years with USC,
he spent three years with ole Miss. I mean, he's
had some impressive stops before, just being the doubt right
play caller BCU and so far, so good. So maybe
this is someone that you can capitalize with again in
twenty twenty five. And then if he leaves, then oh
well that means that he performed pretty well for you.
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.