GAME DAY WEATHER |
In contrast to the
chilly, rainy and
windy conditions
that accompanied
East Carolina's
20-10 loss at Temple
last season, the
forecast is calling
for a temperature of
64 degrees and clear
skies as the Pirates
host the Owls at 7
tonight. There is a
zero percent chance
of rain throughout
the American
Athletic Conference
contest. The
humidity will be 78
percent at kickoff,
increasing to 100
percent by game's
end, meaning that
the playing surface
likely will have
some dew. Winds will
be slight at one
mile per hour,
shifting from
west-southwest at
the outset to
southwest by the
final firing of the
cannon at
Dowdy-Ficklen
Stadium. (Filed by
Al Myatt) |
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FOOTBALL |
Pirates' season arrives at
crossroads |
No game last season
sticks in the craw of East Carolina
fans more than the Senior Night loss
to Central Florida in which the
Pirates pried defeat from the jaws
of victory by allowing the Knights
to score on a 51-yard Hail Mary pass
as time expired. But that wasn’t the
most damaging loss of 2014. ...
More from
Brett Friedlander... |
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MULTIMEDIA |
Audio: Ruff Weekly
Presser |
ECU
coach Ruffin McNeill met with
reporters on Monday in his weekly
press conference. (Audio courtesy of
Pirate Radio 1250; archive photo):
Select audio
clip... |
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Infographic: Pick 6
set the tone |
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30 |
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17 |
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East Carolina forced
two turnovers, kicked three field
goals and pulled out a 30-17 win
over Tulsa Saturday afternoon in
front of a Homecoming crowd of
43,065 at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
Cornerback Josh Hawkins set the tone
early for the Pirate defense,
returning an interception 100 yards
for a TD ...
Details and
data from Greg Vacek... |
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Ball 'Hawk' boosts Pirates |
GREENVILLE — Everything seemed
to feed off one game-changing
play in East Carolina's 30-17
American Athletic Conference
football win over Tulsa on
Homecoming Saturday.
The
Golden Hurricane was moving the
ball as advertised after taking
the opening kickoff and
traversing from their 19 to the
ECU 12 over the manicured turf
of Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Tulsa
came in averaging 568 yards of
total offense and 36.6 points
per game. ...
More from Al Myatt... |
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View W.A.
Myatt's game day photo gallery... |
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Ruff post-game audio |
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ECU
coach Ruffin McNeill
spoke with reporters on
Saturday after the
Pirates' Homecoming win
over Tulsa (recorded by
Al Myatt):
Select audio clip... |
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By
Al Myatt
©2015 Bonesville.net
All rights reserved.
VIEW MOBILE VERSION OF THIS PAGE
The symmetry of tonight's Temple-East Carolina game compared to the two
teams' 2014 matchup is pretty remarkable.
A year ago, the Pirates were a ranked team playing on the road. This
year, the Owls (6-0) come in for a 7 p.m. kickoff at Dowdy-Ficklen
Stadium ranked No. 22 by the Associated Press and No. 24 in the coaches
poll.
There are dramatic differences, too.
Lincoln Financial Field last Nov. 1 was a chilly, rainy and windy
turnover-producing setting as ECU
lost five fumbles in a 20-10 defeat
despite holding a 428-135 command in total yardage.
The forecast for tonight's game is about as good as it gets for this
time of year in Eastern North Carolina.
The American Athletic Conference contest last season was played before a
sprinkling of fans. Although attendance was announced as 22,130, it
appeared about one-tenth of that figure were on hand.
The Pirates should draw over 40,000 tonight although it will be easy for
some of the ECU fans to watch the game on ESPN2 on a week night,
especially if they have to be at work or in class early on Friday.
The loss to the Owls marked the start of a late season decline for the
Pirates. It damaged AAC title hopes and led to a 2-4 record over the
second half of the season.
The Pirates were in contention for a major bowl before getting derailed
in Philadelphia.
"It was a heartbreaking loss, the fashion and style that we lost because
we were a good football team and they were a good football team, taking
nothing away from them," said ECU junior inside receiver Isaiah Jones.
"They played in the conditions as well and ultimately we didn't get it
done. I believe that week in Greenville all week it was about 80 degrees
we were practicing in fair conditions. We went there and it wasn't what
we were ready for but there's no excuse. They played in it as well.
"We're ready. I wouldn't say it's revenge or anything like that. They're
the next team on the schedule. That's why it's important. They're a good
ball club. We know what they've got. They're undefeated. They're ranked.
They're a good football team. They're coming into Dowdy-Ficklen and
we're going to be ready."
It's doubtful that Pirates coach Ruffin McNeill has spent much time this
week on 2014 history. Emotions dealing with factors like payback are
extra baggage.
"I’m big on having clear minds," McNeill said. "Cloudy minds have slow
legs and clear minds have fast legs. We have a fast football team, so we
want their minds clear so we can play fast. ...
“They beat us last year. It wasn’t luck. They did a good job. I talk
about getting better. Let’s play our best game our next game, but play
our best game our last game of the year. Temple has a great team and
proposes a great opportunity, but a challenge for us. I talk more about
preparation. That’s how I’m built and that’s what I believe in.”
Adjusted practice schedule
The Thursday night slot on national television required some careful
planning to maximize the results from reduced practice time.
"It was a normal Sunday," McNeill said of the adjusted practice schedule
with the short week. "We went late on Monday (normally a day off for the
Pirates), installing the game plan."
Tuesday combined a normal Tuesday and Wednesday workout during a regular
game week.
"We cut down on time of practice (Tuesday)," McNeill said.
The Pirates were on a normal schedule for the day before a game on
Wednesday, including walk-throughs in the afternoon and a movie at
night.
"It's routine, as much as we can," McNeill said.
Crowd factor
Crowds at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium seem to be at their most supportive for
an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent such as for
a 70-41 win over North Carolina
in 2014 and
a 35-28 victory over Virginia Tech
this season.
This game is important in terms of the Pirates (4-3, 2-1 AAC)
maintaining control of their fate in the AAC East Division race with a
victory. The East and West division winners will play in the league's
inaugural championship game on Dec. 5.
"I want to get a (conference championship) ring for the seniors," said
sophomore defensive lineman Demage Bailey. "I want a ring, too."
The degree and intensity of fan support are not factors the team can
directly control but McNeill knows their value.
"When we're playing at home, it's an opportunity to feed off the energy
from the fans," said the ECU alumnus and coach. "The fans have fed our
opposing teams (at Florida, Navy and Brigham Young). The presence and
energy of our fans really motivates the kids if the crowd is excited."
Lots of experience
Temple has 11 starters back on defense, eight returning on offense and
two specialists back from a team that went 6-6 overall in 2014 and 4-4
in the AAC.
The Owls opened the season with an impressive 27-10 home win over Penn
State, the alma mater of Owls coach Matt Rhule, and have a 3-0 league
record.
"They have a lot of starters back," McNeill said. "Matt Rhule is a very
good coach. Offensively, P.J. Walker leads them at quarterback. Jahad
Thomas is a very talented running back. Again, receivers with size. An
experienced offensive line. P.J. has 22 starts. They have guys with a
lot of starts. Defensively, it's the same. They're one of the tops in
the country. They play really good team ball. They play extremely hard.
A lot of looks and blitzes.
"Their special teams are always solid. Again, Jahad is their top
returner. He's averaging 33 yards a return. They block kicks. They've
got a real fine team."
The Owls host Notre Dame on Oct. 31 but figure to have their hands full
against the Pirates tonight.
Short week focus
Temple has had ECU's full attention since the Pirates
put the wraps on Homecoming
with a 30-17 win over Tulsa.
The Owls have also been dealing with a short week since topping Central
Florida 30-16 on Saturday.
"We know we had to have great practices," McNeill said. "Temple has got
a really good football team. Their ranking is deserved. I've been
watching them. They're a really well-rounded football team. Those guys
have done a great job. They've earned their ranking. We know we've got a
tough challenge."