Cincinnati's Curtis Brooks (92) grabs the arm of East Carolina quarterback Holton Ahlers (12) for a sack during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)

Cincinnati's Alec Pierce (12) catches the ball over East Carolina's Ja'Quan McMillian (21) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)

Cincinnati's Leonard Taylor (11) stiff-arms East Carolina's Aaron Ramseur (51) after catching the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)

Cincinnati's Leonard Taylor (11) stretches for the goal line with East Carolina's Aaron Ramseur (51) closing in during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)

Cincinnati's Alec Pierce (12) catches the ball over East Carolina's Ja'Quan McMillian (21) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)

East Carolina head coach Mike Houston watches from the sidelines during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Cincinnati in Greenville, N.C., Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)

East Carolina head coach Mike Houston watches from the sidelines during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Cincinnati in Greenville, N.C., Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)

East Carolina's Ryan Jones (13) runs the ball and is challenged by Cincinnati's Ja'von Hicks (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)

Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell watches from the sidelines during the first half of an NCAA college football game against East Carolina in Greenville, N.C., Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)

East Carolina's Tyler Snead (22) runs the ball after catching a pass with Cincinnati's Bryan Cook (6) giving chase during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Greenville, N.C., Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)

Cincinnati's Jerome Ford (24) runs the ball against East Carolina during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)

East Carolina's Tyler Snead (22) gets tackled by Cincinnati's Arquon Bush (9) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Greenville, N.C., Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)

East Carolina's Jsi Hatfield (88) gets taken down by Cincinnati's Ahmad Gardner (1) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Greenville, N.C., Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)

Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder (9) looks to pass the ball against East Carolina during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)

East Carolina's Jsi Hatfield (88) tries to catch a pass over Cincinnati's Coby Bryant (7) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Greenville, N.C., Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)

East Carolina's Holton Ahlers (12) passes the ball to Jsi Hatfield (88) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Cincinnati in Greenville, N.C., Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)

FILE - East Carolina's Keaton Mitchell (25) runs the ball against Cincinnati during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Greenville, N.C., Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. The Fenway Bowl and Military Bowl have been canceled due to the pandemic as coronavirus outbreaks at Virginia and Boston College forced them to call off their postseason plans. The Military Bowl scheduled for Monday, Dec. 27, at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium between Boston College and East Carolina was canceled because of positive COVID-19 tests at BC.(AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)

FILE - East Carolina head coach Mike Houston watches from the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Cincinnati in Greenville, N.C., Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. East Carolina begins its season Sept. 3, 2022, against NC State.(AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker, File)

FILE - East Carolina's Holton Ahlers (12) passes the ball to Jsi Hatfield (88) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Cincinnati in Greenville, N.C., Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. East Carolina will host No. 13 North Carolina State on Saturday to open the season. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)