PRE-GAME ANALYSIS
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Keys to the
Game
Thursday,
November 22, 2012
By Kevin Monroe |
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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).
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ECU vs. Marshall
Friday, Nov. 23, 2012 • 2 pm
Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium (cap. 50,000)
TV: CBSSN
By
Kevin Monroe
©2012 Bonesville.net
All rights reserved.
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This week’s
keys are almost identical to those of a week ago for the Tulane game. The
Pirates face a dangerous offensive threat in a Marshall team that is scoring
39 points per game. On the flip side, the Thundering Herd brings a porous
defense to Greenville, one that is giving up 211 yards on the ground and 41
points per game.
The one key
that I will change from last week is establishing the run. Against Tulane, I
thought the Pirates needed to get on the board early and apply continuous
offensive pressure to keep up. That didn’t happen, mainly because East
Carolina was unable to establish the run. Vintavious Cooper struggled early,
throwing the attack plan off kilter. Shane Carden seemed to be out of rhythm
as well in the first half and the offense really sputtered.
Turning to
this week's challenge,
East
Carolina can defeat Marshall on Friday if it performs well in these
key aspects of the game:
ESTABLISH THE RUN
The
Pirates still need to get out of the gates early against the Herd, but the
way to do it is running the football. Seldom this season has ECU mounted
touchdown drives after receiving the opening kickoff. Last week was no
exception. The Pirates stalled early because the Green Wave was putting
seven to eight defenders in the “Box” and taking away the running lanes. The
passing game should have been affective, but the corners played tight
defense on the receivers and didn’t leave Carden much room to fit the ball
in. Marshall may attempt a similar game plan, but this time the Pirates
should be ready. Cooper and Reggie Bullock got on track in the second half
last week and Carden got going as well. That momentum will be carried into
this week’s game, and it will start on the ground. If the running game is
effective, it will open up the passing game.
BRING THE PASS RUCH
Through 11 games, opponents have gotten 24 sacks against the Thundering Herd
offensive line. That is roughly 2 sacks per game. East Carolina must get in
the face of quarterback Rakeem Kato and force him to hurry the football and
make bad decisions. Cato is the best QB ECU has faced this season. He is
completing almost 70 percent of his passes and is averaging 353 yards per
game through the air with 32 touchdowns and 10 interceptions year-to-date. A
three-to-one touchdown to interception ratio is very good. ECU has 20 sacks
on the year — just under 2 per game — led by Derrell Johnson and Gabe
Woullard. Getting good pressure up front will be the key to affecting the
Herd's passing game and creating takeaways. Marshall has turned the ball
over 17 times in 11 games.
DEFEND
THE DEEP BALL
East
Carolina is giving up 258 passing yards per game and has surrendered 21
touchdown receptions this season. Last week against the Green Wave, the
defensive backs gave up yards and a pair of touchdowns, but they did a good
job of keeping receivers in front of them. The deep ball pass was taken away
from QB Ryan Griffin, who had to resort to short passes to the receivers and
passing to the backs out of the backfield. Marshall wide receiver Tommy
Shuler has logged 997 receiving yards on 96 catches, which is 30 more
receptions than the team's next best receiver. He will be the one to watch
on Saturday.
BOTTOM LINE
Marshall
is 5-6 and needs this victory to become bowl eligible. Last year, the
Pirates were in the same situation when they visited Huntington and lost to
the Herd in overtime. Its Senior Day for ECU and the Pirates owe it to
Marshall to return the favor from last season.
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Kevin Monroe.
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archives.
11/22/2012 01:28:18 AM
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