After playing alongside the record-setting duo of Shane Carden and Justin Hardy for the past three years, fifth year senior Chris Hairston has emerged as East Carolina's go-to offensive player.
In the first week of the season Hairston played a pivotal role in the offensive attack, accounting for all 28 points the Pirates put on the scoreboard against Towson. The running back ran for 154 yards and tallied a career-best four touchdowns in the 28-20 season-opening win. Hairston became the first East Carolina back since Chris Johnson in 2007 to have four rushing touchdowns in a game and was East Carolina's first 100-yard rusher in a season-opener since Jamie Wilson had 183 yards against West Virginia in 1999.