PRE-GAME ANALYSIS
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Keys to the
Game
Thursday,
November 5, 2009
By Kevin Monroe |
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ECU vs. Virginia Tech
Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, 7:30 pm
Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium
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For the fourth
straight year, Kevin Monroe, color analyst for the Pirate ISP Sports
Radio Network, provides “Kevin’s Keys to The Game,”
his weekly breakdown of what East Carolina must do to beat its
upcoming opponent.
Monroe brings a unique perspective to the task as a
member of the broadcast team and as a former star defensive
back for the Pirates (1995-99). |
©2009 Bonesville.net
All Rights Reserved.
East
Carolina can defeat Virginia Tech if it accomplishes these key objectives:
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Contain the QB
The Pirates have played well on defense over the past several weeks,
defending both the run and the pass as well as they have all season. When
East Carolina has struggled, it’s been due in part
to not getting enough pressure on the quarterback. Tech's Tyrod Taylor is going
to be the most athletic QB that ECU has seen this season. He is among
Virginia Tech's all-time leaders at his position in several
categories. He is third all-time in career rushing yards with 1,317, tied
for second with Michael Vick in rushing touchdowns with 16, and tied for
second all-time in career 100-yard rushing games.
After hearing all
that, you might think Taylor is a run-first QB, but that is not the case.
When he drops back to throw the ball, he usually throws it. He does an
excellent job of moving his feet to buy time in the pocket to make his
throws. Taylor is 12th in the nation in passing efficiency with a 3-to-1
touchdown to interception ratio.
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Deploy Sharp Passing Game
I usually preach running the football and this week
is no different. If the Pirates can establish a solid running game
against the Hokies, they can have a chance to win
this game. The key ,though, comes from the passing game. Virginia Tech
ranks 9th nationally in pass defense, giving up 162 yards per game.
Tech's defensive line has 15 sacks through eight games and its defense
has 8 interceptions and 31 pass breakups. Patrick Pinkney will have to make
quick and efficient decisions followed by accurate throws. ECU can’t
afford any turnovers in the passing game.
-
Be
Special
Any time you play the Hokies, you have to be perfect on special teams.
Tech has blocked multiple kicks every year since Coach Frank
Beamer has been in charge of the program. He heads up the special teams
and his attention to detail in that aspect of the game have spawned the nickname
Beamer Ball. The Hokies have 123 blocks in Beamer’s 276 games at the
university. During his era they have blocked at least 2 kicks in a game
21 times.
ECU will need to be very solid in its own punting and kicking execution,
but also make plays in the return game. The team that plays best on
special teams has the best chance of winning this game, because
offensively and defensively the teams are well matched.
The
Bottom Line
Virginia Tech is probably the more talented team, but the team with the best
players isn’t always the winner. If the Pirates come right out and take the
game to Tech, who knows what can happen? The Hokies came into the
season ranked in the Top Ten, but tough games versus Alabama, Nebraska,
Miami, Georgia Tech, Duke (yes, Duke) and a loss last week to UNC-Chapel
Hill have really
battle-tested them. They can bounce back and have another ten-win season, or
they can crumble under the pressure of big expectations and a big schedule.
The Pirates have nothing to lose. Regardless of the outcome, they are still in the driver’s
seat of the East Division of Conference USA. A team with nothing to lose
is a dangerous team to play against.
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11/05/2009 02:24:19 AM
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