Sometimes, football teams need a break.

East Carolina gets one this week after five grueling games, and coach Skip Holtz welcomes the open date.

"We need an off week mentally and physically ... it's difficult to play at that emotional level five weeks," he said Saturday after ECU's 41-24 loss to Houston. "We need to take a hard look at where we are right now, but I also think the players need to get away from football a little bit."

After starting 3-0 and climbing as high as No. 15 in the Associated Press poll, the Pirates sailed off course, losing their past two games.

They struggled offensively Saturday, running and throwing. That prompted Holtz to employ two quarterbacks, starter Patrick Pinkney and sub Rob Kass. He didn't hint of going to a dual-QB system but said: "We've got to look at what we are doing on offense; we can't continue doing what we did [against Houston]."

The ECU defense logged a lot of minutes and gave up a lot of ground. The Pirates simply couldn't stop the efficient Cougars, except via four turnovers. Houston gained 621 yards and averaged 7.4 yards per play.

If the Pirates can right the ship, they could still contend for Conference USA honors.

GAME BALLS

ECU RB BRANDON SIMMONS: Carried 19 times and gained 86 yards with determined, second-effort running.

ECU PUNTER MATT DODGE: Averaged 48.5 yards -- including a 60-yarder -- on eight kicks.

KEY MATCHUP

In the battle of quarterbacks, Houston's Case Keenum won, hands down, over East Carolina's Pinkney and Kass.

Keenum dissected ECU's defense all day, completing 36 of 44 passes for 399 yards and three touchdowns.

Pinkney and Kass combined for 199 yards and two TDs.

NOT ON HIGHLIGHTS

Houston receiver Kierrie Johnson, left all alone behind ECU's secondary, caught a pass from Keenum and completing an 84-yard touchdown play.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Pirates play at VIrginia on Oct. 11, when they will try to improve their record to 3-1 against BCS conference opponents. The Cavaliers are down, with a 1-3 record after taking a 31-3 beating at Duke.

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