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East Carolina got its first win of the 2026 season, outlasting Old Dominion, 20-17, this past Saturday night in Norfolk, Va., at SB Ballard Stadium. The Pirates didn't do a whole lot offensively, but did manage to do enough, including a couple of big field goal drives, and some nice four-minute offense to run out the clock at the conclusion of the game. Defensively, ECU had all sorts of individual standouts, with plenty of solid group performance along the way, too.  ECU will try to record a second straight win this Saturday, in the non-conference finale against North Carolina Central. Before then, though, let's take a look at our weekly stock report, as we evaluate where some of the players are trending after the last few weeks. Keep in mind, just because we list a player as a "Stock Down," it doesn't mean ECU, or we, are giving up on him. This is a week-to-week business, and all it takes is a bounce-back game or two to reverse that trend. It's more of a statement of how the player performed compared to the expectations the people around the program have for him.  STOCK UP RB TJ Engleman With Ashton Gray dealing with a hamstring, ECU turned to Engleman late in the contest. He delivered in a major way, carrying the rock 16 times for 99 yards. He averaged 6.2 yards per carry, and had three runs over 10 yards. Engleman forced five missed tackle and racked up 50 yards after contact. Engleman has to continue growing in pass pro, just as all the backs do, but this showed he's more than capable of putting the offense on his back a bit.  What it means: Gray was on this list last week, and now Engleman. ECU also believes in Michael Allen, and he could have a big game in the near future, too, in what is a deep backfield. And with Gray banged up currently ECU may need to ride Engleman and Allen a lot this week.  OL Karson Jones Jones was on the opposite end of the spectrum last week, when he missed some blocks playing center. But he was re-inserted as the team's starting left guard this week and showed why the Pirates are so high on him. Jones played 53 snaps, not allowing a pressure (83.3 pass pro grade). He also graded out above average in run blocking (62.1) against a good front.  What it means: All three pressures Jones has allowed this season came at center. So he's clearly comfortable at guard right now. The Pirates' offensive line as a whole played well, with Brandon Best playing through some pain at center, so the whole group could be in its usual placements.  S Ayden Duncanson Duncanson posted below average scores against Alabama and Appalachian State, but got back on the good side with his showing against Old Dominion. He played 22 snaps, turning in an elite 93.6 PFF grade on defense due to his pick-six that changed the game. His 93.6 coverage grade was a career-high, as he allowed just one catch on three targets for two yards. Duncanson also added a stop near the line of scrimmage. What it means: ECU is comfortable going five-deep at safety, including at field safety, where Duncanson and Zyeir Gamble are splitting reps right now. Gamble is probably the better player against the run, but Duncanson's athleticism and instincts in coverage could lead to him getting more snaps, especially against pass-oriented teams, in the weeks ahead. DE Kieran Davis Davis has turned in two of his better efforts as a Pirate the last two weeks. Against App State, he made more of an impact as a pass-rusher. Versus ODU, it was as a run-stopper, as the Monarchs couldn't handle him off the edge. Playing 32 snaps, Davis posted a 91.0 defensive grade, including a 92.5 run defense mark. He also had a pressure that led to Duncanson's pick-six, and he added a forced fumble and four stops near or behind the line of scrimmage. What it means: The edges of ECU's defense continue to be a strong point, with Davis and Jasiyah Robinson providing consistent production at defensive end.  CB Ashton Levells-Mitchell Last week, Levells-Mitchell was on the stock down meter, primarily because he struggled to finish plays in zone coverage (allowing six catches on six targets). This week, he returned to playing primarily man, and his skill-set showed up in a major way. Levells played 56 snaps and got the start, posting a 73.5 coverage grade. He was targeted four times, allowing one catch for 10 yards. He also drew an offensive pass interference, and a personal foul post-snap.  What it means: Levells got some buzz in the preseason as ECU's top lockdown corner, but it wasn't really on display through the first two weeks. The ODU game displayed his skill-set, and with consistency here, Levells could indeed be a difference-maker going forward. LB DJ Johnson The WILL linebacker position has been a problem through three games, but MIKE linebacker has not. Johnson has been about as steady as you ca ask for in the middle of the defense. He's posted snap counts of 53, 60 and 51, with game grades of 68.2, 69.6 and 67.8. Johnson has missed just one tackle in three games, and he's made almost all the right fits. This is exactly what you expect from a fourth-year player who has paid his dues and has been groomed for this role. What it means: Johnson has emerged as a leader of ECU's defense, and thus far - albeit very early in the season - he's playing the best ball of his career right now, at a very important position.  (Photo: Savanna Elkins, 247Sports) OTHERS: OL Bryce Weaver, DL Torin Brazell, TE Ismael Smith Flores, WR Dillon Lorick,  STOCK DOWN TE Kanen Hamlett It was a week to forget for Hamlett, who not only lost a fumble that resulted in a scoop and score, but also false started twice. Hamlett played 17 snaps and recorded a 27.3 Pro Football Focus grade, the lowest of any game in his career. Replay did show Hamlett may have been down on his fumble, but regardless, he's got to protect the football.  What it means: With Ismael Smith Flores having a bounce back week at the tight end spot, we could see him get even more snaps in a primarily 11 personnel offense. We could also see some more Mason Brown going forward.  KOS Everett Scott Scott was a very dependable kickoff specialist a year ago, posting almost a 50 percent touchback rate, with good hang time. This year, however, his hang-time is down almost half a second, and his distance is down three yards on average, through three games. He's managed just two touchbacks and one fair catch in 10 attempts. Andrew Conrad ended up getting the last kickoff attempt at ODU, and drilled a touchback.  What it means: Given Scott's inconsistency kicking the ball off, we may see more of Conrad going forward in this phase. OTHERS: QB Mitch Griffis, LB Jackson Barker, CB Jonathan Akins