Keys to the Game Friday, October 19, 2012 By Kevin Monroe

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.

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.

E-mail Kevin Monroe.

PAGE UPDATED 10/19/12 04:03 AM.