PRE-GAME ANALYSIS
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Keys to the
Game
Friday,
September 30, 2011
By Kevin Monroe |
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East Carolina vs. North Carolina
Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011, 8 p.m.
Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, Greenville, NC
TV: CBS Sports Network
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For the sixth
straight year, Kevin Monroe, color analyst for the Pirate ISP Sports
Radio Network, provides “Kevin’s Keys to The Game,”
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). |
©2011 Bonesville.net
All Rights Reserved.
East
Carolina can defeat North Carolina Saturday night if it achieves these key objectives:
PROTECT
THE FOOTBALL
There
should be no surprise that this would be my first key to an East Carolina
victory over North Carolina. After giving up a season-high 7 turnovers last
Saturday against UAB, the Pirates can ill afford to have multiple turnovers
against the Tar Heels. In the UAB game, there were 4 fumbles and 3
interceptions. The fumbles were all a result of players giving extra effort
trying to make a play. Coach Ruffin McNeill says there is a thin line
between telling players to protect the football and to fight for extra
yards. That’s something the players will have to figure out on their own.
Regardless of how it happens, East Carolina can’t expect to win games when
putting the ball on the ground so often.
ESTABLISH OFFENSIVE
FLOW
The ECU offense got into a rhythm last week against the Blazers. For the
first time this season, the Pirates were able to run and pass the football
at will. Even though ECU relies on a pass-first offensive philosophy, there
has to at least be a threat of a running game for that passing game to be
successful. If that threat isn’t there, opposing teams will just rush three
and drop eight and make it nearly impossible for quarterback Dominique Davis
to find open receivers. Last week, ECU running back Reggie Bullock rushed
for 169 yards on 24 carries. That type of performance may be tough to
duplicate, but if the Pirates can manage even 100 yards rushing it will do
wonders for the passing game.
Davis has a multitude of receivers to throw to starting with Lance Lewis,
one of the nation’s best with 24 receptions and 4 touchdowns through three
games. Establishing a good offensive flow is very important early in this
game and maintaining it throughout will keep the Tar Heels under pressure.
If ECU's talented offense can get into a rhythm and sustain it, it won't
matter much what North Carolina's defense does.
FORCE
THE PASS
Dynamic
freshman running back Giovani Bernard is averaging 105 yards per game for
the Tar Heels. The Pirates can't afford to let him have a big day. North
Carolina would prefer to run the ball until stopped and then pass when
necessary. Through four games, quarterback Bryn Renner has 95 passing
attempts out of the Tar Heels' 229 total plays which makes for a very
balanced attack. Bernard and backup running back Ryan Houston have 86
rushing attempts between them. Renner is completing 77% of his passes but he
has 7 touchdown passes and 6 interceptions. If the Pirates can contain the
running game and force North Carolina into situations of 3rd and 5 or more,
they will stand a much better chance of containing this offense.
THE
BOTTOM LINE
This is another very important game for the Pirates. The winner of this game
could win over top recruits from North Carolina and bragging rights to go
along with it. East Carolina has to take care of the football and get into a
good offensive rhythm early in this game if it expects to win. North
Carolina's very strong offensive and defensive lines will make this a tough
game for ECU in the trenches, but that is where the game will be won or lost.
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09/30/2011 03:17:45 AM
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