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GAME DAY WEATHER |
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It appears that
weather will be a
factor as East
Carolina hosts
Virginia Tech in
football at 3:30
p.m. today. The
forecast is calling
for a 70 to 75
percent chance of
rain at kickoff with
east-northeast wind
at 13 to 14 miles
per hour. The
temperature is
expected to be in
the low 70s.
Previous rain in the
region is likely to
mean soggy turf
conditions. The
chance of rain is
predicted to
diminish to 60 to 65
percent during the
game. (Filed by Al
Myatt) |
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FOOTBALL |
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Slippery showdown looms |
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The forecast for
Saturday could definitely impact
East Carolina's 3:30 p.m. home
football game with Virginia Tech.
Rain could be heavy at times,
according to the outlook. ...
More from
Al Myatt... |
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FOOTBALL |
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It's time to lighten the load |
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 The
East Carolina football program takes great pride in its
philosophy of playing anyone, anytime, anyplace. As well it
should. That aggressive approach to scheduling has helped the
Pirates claim plenty of high-profile victims over the years ...
More from Brett Friedlander... |
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Reynolds, Navy too much |
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ANNAPOLIS, MD — East Carolina
seems to bring out the best in
Navy. Maybe it's that old thing
with pirates and the Navy that
ultimately led to Blackbeard's
demise. The factor that produced
a 45-21 win for the Midshipmen
at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium on
Saturday was more about Navy
senior quarterback Keenen
Reynolds and ECU's inability to
stop him or keep pace with his
offensive production. ...
More from Al Myatt... |
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View Al
Myatt's game day photo gallery... |
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Ruff post-game audio |
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  ECU
coach Ruffin McNeill
spoke with reporters on
Saturday after the
Pirates' loss at Navy
(recorded by Al Myatt):
Select audio clip... |
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View Mobile Alpha version of this page.
By
Kevin Monroe
©2015 Bonesville.net
All rights reserved.
East
Carolina and Virginia Tech have a rivalry that started earlier than most
fans realize. The first game was in 1956, but there was a three-decade
gap before game two in 1987. After it was resumed, the series was back
and forth before the Hokies won six straight from 1993 to 2007. More
recently, the Pirates have had some success, prevailing in two of the
last six matchups,
including last year in Blacksburg.
The last three contests have all been decided by 7 points or less.
To
beat the Hokies today in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, the Pirates will
need to follow this script:
PROTECT THE FOOTBALL
Today's
game will be sloppy. Rain has already made its entrance and game time
weather looks to be much of the same. ECU played in similar conditions
in Philadelphia last season and
had 5 turnovers in a loss to the Temple Owls.
Four of those giveaways came on 4 fumbles.
Tech
is a team that has thrived off turnovers during head coach Frank
Beamer's tenure. Longtime defensive coordinator Bud Foster preaches
attacking the football in the air and separating it from ball
carriers.
Article continues after the
following ad...
MOVE THE CHAINS
In a bad
weather game, the team that can get first downs and maintain possession
of the football will have the advantage. This type of weather favors a
team that can run the football, a facet of the game about which the jury
is still out regarding ECU. The Pirates showed great promise running the
ball
in the season opener against Towson.
Chris Hairston had a career day against the Tigers, but the Pirates'
ground game has been stymied since then.
ECU's spread option play has been hampered because of the lack of a
quarterback rushing threat. Defensive players have been swarming the
backs and not concerning themselves with the quarterbacks running
the ball. To be successful today, the threat of the QB run will need
to be there. The Hokies are averaging 221.7 rushing yards per game
while giving up 213 yards per game on the ground. Passing the
football will still be important, but the weather will dictate how
much of that either team can do.
MAKE THE BIG PLAYS
This
game will be hard fought by two well-coached teams. Every football game
between two worthy opponents usually comes down to 6 or 7 important
plays. Among those plays will often be two or three that are explosion
plays – plays that go for more than 20 yards. The breakout plays can
come from the running game, through the air or on special teams. The
Pirates will have to be particularly sound in the kicking game to keep
the Hokies from blocking a kick or returning one for a touchdown.
The
team that can create a few explosion plays and prevent the opponent
from doing the same will have a good chance of winning this game.
BOTTOM LINE
The
team that handles today's weather the best will be victorious. Not
letting the things that you can't control dictate the game is
something the Coach Ruff often talks about. The Pirates can control
their own destiny today by protecting the ball, moving the chains
and being on the positive end of the big plays. Fans are not going
to want to miss this one.
Send an e-mail message to
Kevin Monroe.
Dig into Kevin Monroe's
archives.
ECU
coach Ruffin McNeill met with
reporters on Monday in his weekly
press conference. (Audio courtesy of
Pirate Radio 1250; archive photo):
The
Brian Bailey Show airs on Pirate
Radio 1250 on Mondays at 6:30 p.m.
Brian's guest this week was ECU
assistant head coach Donnie
Kirkpatrick (right):
From
Justin Jones to Bryce Williams, East
Carolina has featured a tight
end-sized pass catcher in its
receiving corps since the “Air
Raid'' offense arrived with head
coach Ruffin McNeill in 2010. ...
