Keys to the Game Friday, November 8, 2013 By Kevin Monroe

East Carolina vs. Tulsa
Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 • 3:45 pm
Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium (cap. 50,000)
TV: Fox Sports Net

By Kevin Monroe
©2013 Bonesville.net
All rights reserved.

East Carolina's game on Saturday is a big one because it’s the next trial in a stretch of challenges that stand between the Pirates and their season goals.

The foe is Conference USA West Division preseason favorite Tulsa, a team that has not met expectations but which would relish finally putting it all together to achieve some redemption at the expense of the East Division leader.

Though problems have plagued the Golden Hurricane this season, this is a talented team that is capable of beating the Pirates and complicating their path to the league championship game.

An East Carolina letdown in this game is not an option. If the Pirates execute the following assignments, they should prevail:

BE SPECIAL

Special teams play will be a critical factor. There are three parts to the kicking game that have to be sharp against every opponent: kicking, covering and returns. East Carolina kicking specialist Warren Harvey has really struggled of late. He is 12-21 (57%) on the season on field goal attempts. In the last few games, Harvey has had difficulty converting field goals in crucial situations. He is hitting the ball well, but the kicks are not going through the uprights on a consistent bases. He will have to be better this week and the rest of the year if the Pirates want to play for the C-USA title.

The coverage teams will also be important this week. Tulsa return man Trey Watts is one of the nation’s best. He is averaging 21.5 yards per kickoff return and 7.2 yards per punt return. ECU must corral him to avoid being hurt in the kickoff and punt coverage phases of the game.

From the opposite perspective, the return game for the Pirates has been solid with Lance Ray on kickoffs and Justin Hardy on punts. The duo will need to have good games on Saturday.

WIN THE ADVANTAGE ON TAKEAWAYS

Turnovers in all games are important, but that stat is even more magnified in a conference game. Tulsa has thrown 10 interceptions and lost 12 fumbles through eight games. Those giveaways have been a huge reason why the Golden Hurricane has won only two games. The Pirates need to keep that trend going and come up with 3 or more turnovers.

Defensively, Tulsa has picked off 9 passes and recovered 3 fumbles. East Carolina must focus on protecting the football, and quarterback Shane Carden will need to make good decisions throughout the game.

MOVE THE CHAINS

This is always one of my favorite keys. It seems simple, but it’s so important. East Carolina found out last week against Florida International that getting dominated in time of possession and plays run is no fun. Luckily, the ECU defense stepped up when it needed to and kept FIU out of the end zone.

Saturday, the Pirates need to get back to what they do best, which is getting first downs, eating up clock and moving the ball up and down the field. Their third down conversion rate is over 50% for the season and they have been averaging over 90 plays per game over the last four outings. If ECU puts its foot on the accelerator on Saturday, Tulsa will not be able to keep pace.

BOTTOM LINE

Coach Ruffin McNeill loves to talk about four phases of the game — offense, defense, special teams and sideline support. This is a game that could sneak up on the Pirates if they are not sharp in all four phases. If the enthusiasm level is high and the Pirates take care of the ball, play well on special teams and keep the chains moving, the result can be a decisive victory.

E-mail Kevin Monroe.

PAGE UPDATED 11/08/13 03:15 AM.