Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Blake Harrell across Football.
The East Carolina Pirates enter a pivotal season after losing 24 players to the transfer portal, leaving a young, untested roster to face a heavily favored Alabama squad projected to win by nearly three touchdowns.
Coaches across the American Conference reflect on how the transfer portal reshapes roster building, offering players new pathways and financial prospects.
With key players departing and coaching staffs shifting, the American Conference’s championship picture remains hazy as teams like UTSA, Navy and Tulane navigate differing levels of continuity and ambition.
Coaches from across North Carolina gather for the Triangle Pigskin Preview, discussing the upcoming season, player transfers and the growing concern over tampering in college football.
East Carolina University will wear a distinctive helmet decal in 2026 to celebrate Chris Johnson, a Hall of Famer battling ALS, while his advocacy and career legacy inspire the campus community.
Two separate live feeds from the American Conference Media Day will give fans unprecedented access to coaches, players, and key administrators across the 14‑team league.
The Pirates finished 2025 with a 9‑4 record and a Military Bowl victory, but will enter 2026 with only 42 % of last year’s production and a brand‑new offensive scheme.
The Pirates are set to open the 2026 campaign on the road in Tuscaloosa, where they will test a new-look roster against the heavily favored Crimson Tide.
Alabama opens against East Carolina, navigates a demanding SEC stretch, and aims to limit losses before a strong finish that could secure a national postseason spot.
The American Conference announced that its annual Football Kickoff and Media Days will take place in St. Petersburg, Florida, on July 23‑24, 2026, featuring all head coaches, student‑athletes, live ESPN+ coverage and a series of fan‑focused activities that build on the league’s record‑breaking 2025 season.
The conference’s championship‑winning 2025 season, highlighted by Tulane’s College Football Playoff berth, will be celebrated in a two‑day event that streams on ESPN+.
The American Conference will host its annual Kickoff and Media Days on July 23‑24, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida, featuring unprecedented access for fans, live ESPN+ coverage and a look back at the league’s record‑breaking 2025 campaign.
Alabama will face East Carolina on September 5 at Bryant‑Denny Stadium, a game that tests the Crimson Tide's preparedness after last year's narrow escape and highlights the Pirates' recent resurgence under Coach Blake Harrell.
Alabama will open its 2026 football season at home against East Carolina on September 5, featuring a new quarterback battle and significant roster moves.