Tar Heels Travel To Face Pirates, Sellout Crowd

Updated: Sat 11:15 AM, Oct 01, 2011

GREENVILLE, N.C. (AP) -- North Carolina travels to East Carolina on Saturday night for the first time in four years.

The instate rivals will play in front of a rowdy sellout crowd, with the Tar Heels seeking to beat the Pirates for the third straight season. Last year, the Tar Heels (3-1) forced the Pirates' pass-heavy offense into three interceptions and held East Carolina (1-2) to a season-low 17 points.

This time, the Pirates are hoping to improve a running game that looked sharp last week against UAB. Junior college transfer Reggie Bullock ran for 169 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries, the most yards for an East Carolina player under Ruffin McNeill.

ECU running backs coach Clay McGuire says the running backs can be the "X-factor" in the Pirates' offense.

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