GREENVILLE, N.C. (AP) -- More than three decades have passed since East Carolina last won a conference championship. Now the Pirates can focus on ending that streak.

The Pirates travel to Tulsa this weekend in the Conference USA
championship game, another step forward in coach Skip Holtz's steady rebuilding project. East Carolina (8-4, 6-2) had locked up the league's East Division title before last week's home finale against UTEP, though the Pirates came out with probably their best game of the year in a 53-21 win.

East Carolina hasn't won a league title since claiming the Southern Conference championship in 1976. The Pirates have already matched their win total for last year and have a chance for a 10-win season.