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GAME DAY WEATHER |
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The forecast is
calling for a 60
percent chance of
showers at kickoff
as East Carolina
hosts South Florida
at 7:30 tonight. The
temperature is
expected to be 65
degrees at the
outset of the
American Athletic
Conference contest,
dropping to 61 by
game's end. The 60
percent chance of
precipitation
continues throughout
the game, according
to weather.com.
Winds are projected
to range from
north-northwest at
five miles per hour
to north at seven
miles per hour.
Humidity will be 100
percent or close to
it.
(Filed by Al Myatt) |
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FOOTBALL |
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Ruff prioritizes 'head'
coaching |
Being
a Football Bowl Subdivision head
coach can involve supervising game
plans, maximizing recruiting,
directing staff, responding to
media, making appearances and in
Ruffin McNeill's approach, being a
father figure to over 100 young men.
This week the East Carolina head coach also has been just that, a head
coach, shaping the mental side for the Pirate players ...
More from
Al Myatt... |
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FOOTBALL |
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ECU's finances get a boost |
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 East
Carolina is changing its
stripes. Or more accurately,
it�s trading in its swoosh
for three stripes. Athletic
director Jeff Compher broke
the news Wednesday when he
announced that the school
has agreed to a 10-year
exclusive partnership with
adidas ...
More from Brett
Friedlander... |
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FOOTBALL |
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Coach addressing 'Ruff' times |
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Even though they had very little
experience, both James Summers and
Blake Kemp seemed to be having fun
after being thrust into the
experience of playing the
quarterback position at East
Carolina. Lately that has not been
the case ...
More from
Brian Bailey... |
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MULTIMEDIA |
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Audio: Ruff Weekly
Presser |
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  ECU
coach Ruffin McNeill
met with reporters on Monday
at his weekly press
conference
(audio courtesy of
Pirate Radio 1250; file photo):
Select audio clip... |
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The good, the bad, and the Huskies |
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13 |
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31 |
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 MONDAY
INFOGRAPHIC: When losses happen,
fingers start pointing. Don't blame
East Carolina's Friday night road
loss to Connecticut on the white
crossbones helmets � the Pirates are
0-3 wearing the alternate helmet.
Don't blame it on the day of the
week � ECU is 18-23 overall in
non-Saturday matchups. The Pirates'
31-13 defeat by the Huskies is hard
to figure. ...
Details and data from Greg Vacek... |
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View Mobile Alpha version of this page.
By
Kevin Monroe
�2015 Bonesville.net
All rights reserved.
East
Carolina comes into tonight's home game with South Florida at 4-5 and
reeling after back to back losses to Temple and Connecticut. The Pirates
are trying to figure out how to work through their offensive struggles,
but with missing links on the offensive line and at running back and
receiver, they're struggling to get things on track. The two-quarterback
system seemed to work okay early on, but both Blake Kemp and James
Summers have struggled lately.
USF
has played one of the toughest schedules in the conference and comes
into the contest with a 4-4 record. The Bulls are fresh off a loss
to Navy but they have battled hard and been in every game this
season.
The Pirates can win
tonight's game if they follow this script:
ESTABLISH RHYTHM
Through
nine games, the ECU offense has had several ups and downs. The run game
has worked sparingly and the passing game, though more consistent, has
sputtered recently. Summers is a great athlete who has yet to show he
can pass the ball consistently. Kemp is an accurate passer, but he
doesn�t have a very strong arm and has turned the ball over too much. In
earlier games the pair worked well off of each other, but lately neither
guy is having success.
The
offensive tempo needs to be fast and there should be a steady diet
of run and pass. Penalties and turnovers have stalled too many
drives and scoring has suffered because of it. The Pirates need to
find a way to get the ball to wide receiver Isaiah Jones 10-15 times
tonight. He is the team's best offensive weapon.
Article continues after the
following ad...
STOP THE RUN
USF has
a one of the best rushing attacks in the nation. The Bulls are averaging
236 yards rushing behind star back Marlon Mack. Mack is running for 114
yards per game and quarterback Quinton Flowers is averaging 80 yards on
the ground. That kind of production makes the duo one of the top rushing
tandems in the nation.
Mack
and Flowers both have 106 rushing attempts and the Bulls have two
other rushers with 37 or more attempts. All four of the main ground
threats are averaging more than 4 yards per carry. The Pirates are
allowing 177 yards rushing per game and have allowed 20 rushing TDs
this season. To win this game, ECU will have to keep USF well under
200 yards rushing � closer to 150.
MAKE THE GUT CHECK
PLAYS
This
game means a lot for ECU and it�s against a solid opponent. In games
like this late in the season against conference opponents, the team that
wants it the most usually wins. It�s time for the Pirates to look in the
mirror and point the finger at themselves. Each player has to put it on
himself to make plays and win the game. Coming up just short tonight
isn�t an option.
The
Pirates can�t afford to press and play tense, but they do need to
play with passion, play fast and play like the season depends on
this victory.
BOTTOM
LINE
Both
teams still need two wins to become bowl eligible. The Bulls have played
well offensively lately, but they have had some letdowns on defense. ECU
is getting better defensively each week, but the offense is coming along
slowly.
If
the Pirates can get the tempo going, pick up some first downs and
maintain a rhythm, they will have a great shot to win this game.
Defense will have to play well against the run, and the entire team
will need to dig deep and find a way to prevail in a close one.
Send an e-mail message to
Kevin Monroe.
Dig into Kevin Monroe's
archives.
ECU
coach Ruffin McNeill
spoke with reporters
after the Pirates' loss
at UConn (recorded by
Al Myatt;
file photo):
