GAME DAY ANALYSIS
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Kevin's Keys to the
Game
Saturday, October 28, 2006
By Kevin Monroe |
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Game 8: ECU at USM
Each week, Kevin Monroe, Sideline Reporter for the Pirate ISP
Sports Network, provides “Kevin’s Keys to The Game,”
outlining what East Carolina must do to beat its opponent.
Monroe brings a unique perspective to the task, not only as an
analyst on the radio broadcast, but also as a former defensive
back for the Pirates (1995-99). |
©2006 Bonesville.net
All Rights Reserved.
East
Carolina can defeat Southern Mississippi if it accomplishes these key objectives:
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Keep the
Momentum: Since
the beginning of the season, I have been preaching the obvious: East
Carolina is a passing team. Behind the strong arm and good
decision-making of senior quarterback James Pinkney, ECU has a dangerous
air attack. The passing game has been reinforced by a deep receiving
core — led by senior wideout Aundrae Allison — that has proven itself
time and time again. Allison had 13 catches for 138 yards and a
touchdown last week versus Southern Methodist after having been out for
three weeks with an ankle sprain. Southern Miss has a strong secondary,
but as a former defensive back I know that a good throw and catch will
beat good coverage almost every time.
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Beware of the Gold
Rush:
The Golden
Eagles rely heavily on their rushing attack. They rank 10th in the
conference in passing offense and 2nd in rushing offense. Against
Houston, Southern Miss had 39 rushing attempts and against Virginia Tech
they ran the ball 37 times. Senior Conrad Chanove and freshman Damion
Fletcher carry the load for for the Golden Eagles. The ECU front seven
has faired well at times against the rush this year, but the Pirates are
giving up 178 yards per game on the ground and that is too much.
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The Turnover
Battle:
In a tough
conference road game between fairly evenly matched teams, the winner is
usually the team that makes the fewest mistakes. ECU started off
the season on fire, amassing 14 takeways in the first four games and
leading the nation in turnovers gained. Since that start, the Pirates
have not come across interceptions and fumbles nearly as easily. The
Pirates currently rank 2nd in the conference with a +0.57 turnover
margin.
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Winning on the
Road:
To be considered one of Conference USA power teams, the Pirates have to
prove they can win tough games on the road. All three of ECU’s wins this
season have come at home. The Pirates need to win at least two road
games if they plan to become bowl eligible. Under Coach Jeff Bower,
Southern Miss has made a living beating teams on the road, something ECU
must learn to do if it wants to be one of the top dogs in C-USA.
The
Bottom Line:
This is an important game in the Pirates' quest to become bowl eligible and
stay alive for the C-USA championship. Over the years, beating The Golden
Eagles at M.M. Roberts Stadium has come more easily to the Pirates than in
the friendly confines of Dowdy-Ficklen. Maybe the 2006 renewal of this
rivalry will be another opportunity to steal a game in 'The Rock.' A victory
versus Southern Mississippi will put the Pirates in the driver's seat in the
C-USA Eastern Division
race.
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02/23/2007 10:32:29 AM
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