ECU's football team went to the emotional well a few times too many this season.  That was evident after the Pirates endured a 41-24 drubbing at the hands of Houston.

The Cougars racked up a whopping 621 yards of total offense against ECU. But as disturbing as that statistic may be for the Pirates, another may be even more troubling: East Carolina converted only one third-down play in 13 chances.

Repeat: one for 13.

This team looked a step slow and more than a little tired -- both physically and emotionally.

Four of the Pirates' five games this year have been decided in the final moments, including ECU's overtime loss to NC State last week. By Skip Holtz' own admission, his team simply didn't play with the same emotional edge they've had all season long.

Their highs have been extremely high -- wins over West Virginia and Virginia Tech certainly qualify -- but ECU heads into a much needed off week needing to regain that emotional charges, as well as a lot of confidence.