Keys to the Game Saturday, December 22, 2012 By Kevin Monroe

ECU vs. Louisiana-Lafayette
Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012 • 12 pm
Mercedes-Benz Superdome (cap. 72,003)
TV: ESPN

By Kevin Monroe
©2012 Bonesville.net
All rights reserved.

Louisiana-Lafayette out of the Sun Belt Conference is a very tough opponent for the Pirates. The Ragin' Cajuns won’t be playing far from home and will probably bring over 30,000 fans to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Cajuns' offense, like that of the Pirates, is footloose and fancy free. ULL is averaging 35 points per game and was among the leaders in its conference in almost every offensive statistic.

East Carolina can defeat the Ragin' Cajuns today if it performs well in these key aspects of the game:

DEFEND THE RUN

This game will be won by the team that is able to run the football and stop the run. This season, ULL rushed for 187 yards per game. The Cajuns have had the same five offensive linemen start every game this season — four of them are starting their 25th straight game. It’s almost unheard of to go two seasons without significant injuries on the offensive line. These guys have managed to stay together as one experienced, healthy, cohesive unit. Besides their experience, they have the size to dominate most defensive lines. The shortest lineman is 6-1 center Andre Huval, but as a unit ULL averages about 6-3 310. Behind that stout offensive line, running back Alonzo Harris has amassed 634 yards and 5.0 yards per carry. Quarterback Terrance Broadway is the second leading rusher with 543 rushing yards. ECU defensive coordinator Brian Mitchell will need to have devised a scheme that can get the Pirates into the gaps and hopefully disrupt the Cajuns' offense.

MOVE THE CHAINS

It will be very important for the Pirates to run the football successfully and pass with some efficiency so that they can pick up first downs and consistently keep the Cajuns' offense off the field. UL-Lafayette is giving up 143 yards rushing and 276 yards passing per game. Establishing the running game will be key for the Pirates and should be the catalyst for their entire offensive package. This season, the Ragin Cajuns have lost games when their opponents established successful ground games. In their four losses, ULL has given up 978 yards on 195 carries. Vintavious Cooper, ECU's talented 1000-yard rusher, will need to come up big in this game for the Pirates to earn the right to raise that trophy after the final whistle.

PLAY SOLID ON SPECIAL TEAMS

The Cajuns blocked three kicks over their last four games. They blocked a punt against Florida in Gainesville. They also blocked field goals in back-to-back games against South Alabama and Florida Atlantic to end the regular season. The Pirates can ill afford to get a punt or kick blocked today. Punter Trent Tignor has averaged 42.4 yards per boot this season with no blocks. Field goal kicker Warren Harvey started the season slowly, making only two of his first six attempts. But he has locked in on aim and distance since then, missing only one of 12 field goal tries. Harvey has never had one blocked.

The kicking game is just half the battle on special teams. The Pirates will also need to be good when returning kickoffs and punts. Justin Hardy handles the punt return duties and is averaging right at 10 yards per return with the ability to break one at any time. The kickoff return duties have been split among four or five guys, but recently have been handled by Derrick Harris, who has re-energized that return team. Harris has become a threat back there and Marshall even kicked away from him in ECU's overtime win over the Herd in the regular season finale.

BOTTOM LINE

The Ragin' Cajuns are favored in this game mostly because of their home field advantage, but the Pirates match up well against them. ULL is giving up 420 yards and 28 points per game. If East Carolina can jump on the Cajuns early and control the clock, it can win this game. The Pirates need to be perfect on special teams and win the turnover battle to do it, but the staff feels comfortable with the schemes they have going into the game.

E-mail Kevin Monroe.

PAGE UPDATED 12/21/12 10:31 PM.