PRE-GAME ANALYSIS
-----
|
Keys to the
Game Friday,
October 19, 2012
By Kevin Monroe |
|
For the seventh
straight year,
Kevin Monroe, color analyst for the Pirate
ISP Sports Radio Network, provides “Kevin’s
Keys to The Game.” In 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).
|
|
ECU at UAB
Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012 • 7 pm
Legion Field (cap. 72,000)
TV: FCS
By
Kevin Monroe
©2012 Bonesville.net
All rights reserved.
View the Mobile Alpha version of this page.
East
Carolina can defeat UAB Saturday night if it performs well in these
key aspects of the game:
MENTAL
TOUGHNESS
East
Carolina
is 3-1 in Conference USA and is
coming off of
a blowout win over the Memphis
Tigers. The Pirates have a ton of a momentum heading into this road game
against UAB. They need to capitalize on that momentum. I am sure the coaches
and players have all heard the phrase “trap game,” and that is exactly what
this is. The Pirates are in conference play and should not only match up
with the remaining teams on their league slate, but they should be favored
in each of those remaining games. The Navy game a week from Saturday is
probably the best team left on the schedule. If the Pirates allow themselves
to look ahead to next week… that is the trap. Staying in the moment, playing
each play, each series, and each quarter throughout the game is so
important. It takes mental toughness to have the type of laser focus that
will be needed Saturday night
at Legion Field. If the Pirates can
do that, they can put up the kind of points against the Blazers that they
did against Memphis.
KEEP THE CHAINS MOVING
Two games ago ago,
against Central Florida, the Pirates
got out to a fast start, scoring on their first two possessions. After that,
the offense stalled and struggled to put together any sustained drives the
rest of the game. With UCF putting good pressure on ECU quarterback Shane
Carden, the passing game was held at bay. Then last week against Memphis,
the Pirates again started on fire, scoring on their first two possessions.
After that, they only scored three more points in the first half. ECU will
need to start fast again against the Blazers on Saturday, but then keep
their feet on the gas pedal. Getting first downs and keeping the UAB defense
on the field will be paramount in gaining and maintaining the advantage. As
long as the chains are moving, the offense is doing its job. Getting
touchdowns is important, too, but moving those chains will be first and
foremost on the offenses agenda.
RED
ZONE DEFENSE
Even
though UAB has only one win, it has scored at least 15 points in every game
this season except its encounter with South Carolina. The Blazer offense is
capable of moving the ball and putting points on the board. UAB is averaging
close to 400 yards of total offense and 27 points. ECU has played well on
defense this season, but the Blazers can be expected to move the ball
successfully at times. One of the the Pirates' goals will be to keep UAB out
of the end zone once it gets in the Red Zone. So far this season, the
Blazers are 16-of-19 (84%) in the red zone. Twelve of those 16 scores were
touchdowns. If the Pirate defense shows up in the Red Zone Saturday night,
the game's outcome is more likely to fall in ECU's favor.
BOTTOM LINE
Playing
UAB always seems to be a tough task for East Carolina, regardless of the
teams' comparative records. In a historical example from 1999, a
nationally-ranked and bowl-bound ECU team went into Legion Field 7-1 and
heavily favored only to absorb a 36-17 loss. The Pirates will have to be
focused and ready to play solid football for 60 minutes to get this tough
road victory.
Send an e-mail message to
Kevin Monroe.
Dig into Kevin Monroe's
archives.
10/19/2012 04:03:28 AM
----- |