Topic: Gazette: C-USA notebook: East Carolina gets a leg up in East Division

[ZackUSAF82]

By Doug Smock

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- The first conference game has been played in the sort-of-brave new Conference USA, and a pecking order has been established in the East Division.

East Carolina, dressing up its players, field and fans in black, rolled over Florida Atlantic 31-13 in the first league game of the season Thursday night. FAU (0-2, 0-1) is one of the six new members playing football this season and one of the newcomers in the East.

The Pirates (2-0, 1-0) led 21-6 at the half and cruised in for the most part, but didn't have a gaping advantage in the team statistics - they outgained the Owls just 312-282 and the teams tied in first downs, 16-16.

Coach Ruffin McNeil wasn't concerned with that, though. He was happy how his team handled the game coming five days after a difficult 52-38 win over Old Dominion.

Link: http://www.wvgazette.com/Sports/Marshall/201309060169