PRE-GAME ANALYSIS
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Keys to the
Game
Friday, November 26, 2010
By Kevin Monroe |
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East Carolina vs. SMU
Friday, Nov. 26, 2010, 2 p.m. • TV: CBSCS
Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, Greenville, NC
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For the fifth
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). |
©2010 Bonesville.net
All Rights Reserved.
East
Carolina can defeat Southern Methodist if it prevails in these key aspects
of the game:
Run Defense
The Pirate defense has been abysmal over the last few weeks. Teams have been
able to run and pass the ball, but lately it’s been the run that has set the
tone for the opposing offenses. Navy rushed for 521 yards on its way to
scoring 76 points.
UAB only rushed the ball 27 times,
but had a 4.3 yard rushing average. Rice followed that up with a
410-yard rushing day and 62 points.
The East Carolina coaches appear to be making some adjustments during the
game, but the players don’t appear to be doing much with those adjustments.
SMU is a very good running the football. The Mustangs are averaging 5.2
yards per carry, led by sophomore Zach Line who has five 100-yard rushing
games this season. Line is averaging 6.6 yards per carry and 106.7 yards per
game. After his 202-yard performance against Marshall, he now has 1,174
yards on the season. Containing Zach Line will be mission number one for ECU
on Friday.
Pass
Defense
The pass
defense has also been a major area of concern for East Carolina. In their
last two games, the Pirates have given up nearly 600 yards passing and 8
passing touchdowns. SMU head coach June Jones brings in his high-powered
spread offense that put up such impressive passing numbers during his tenure
at Hawaii. He has had a few years at SMU to recruit the right players for
his system and things are starting to click offensively. Quarterback Kyle
Padron is averaging 270.5 yards passing per game with 25 touchdowns and 10
interceptions. Padron’s main target is wide receiver Aldrick Robinson. He is
averaging 113 yards per game in conference play and has 6 TDs in 7 games.
Robinson has been named a Biletnikoff finalist, which goes to the top
receiver in college football. The Pirates will have to defend Robinson and a
host of others in order to get a victory against the Mustangs.
Play with Pride
After
giving up 76 points
at home to Navy and then giving up
62
on the road to Rice, the Pirates
have been embarrassed in two of their last three games. Even though the
conference title is no longer a realistic possibility, East Carolina still
has a lot to play for. The Pirates are playing for a 5th straight winning
season, playing to secure a bowl game, and playing to better their home and
conference record. The Boneyard has been a tough place to play this year for
every opponent except for Navy. The Pirates need to regain that home swagger
and conclude the seniors' Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium careers on a winning note.
BOTTOM LINE
This is a big game for East Carolina. The Pirates
just got rolled by a 2-8 team and
their last home game produced
an even worse outcome. They owe it
to themselves and to the fans to play a great game against SMU. The Mustangs
are
playing for a West Division title
and a berth in the Conference USA Championship game, so we know they are
going to play with intensity and urgency. The Pirates will have to play
their best game at home
since Marshall in order to defeat
SMU.
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Kevin Monroe.
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11/26/2010 03:11:20 AM
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