GREENVILLE, N.C. (AP) - To call it a quarterback controversy at East Carolina would be quite an understatement.

The Pirates have four - yes, four - players competing for the starting job, and coach Ruffin McNeill said Saturday that ``I think they're all, right now, in the mix.''

When East Carolina opens in four weeks against Appalachian State, the starting QB could be junior Rio Johnson. Or sophomore Shane Carden. Or redshirt freshman Cody Keith. Or fifth-year senior and former walk-on Brad Wornick.

McNeill says there's no need to hurry and pick one because all four have been around long enough to become familiar with coordinator Lincoln Riley's offense. Instead, the priority is on ``making the right decision and what's best for the football team.''

The Pirates are replacing two-year starter Dominique Davis.