Keys to the Game Friday, September 7, 2012 By Kevin Monroe

ECU at South Carolina
Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012 • 12:21 pm
Williams-Brice Stadium (cap. 80,250)
TV: SEC Network / WITN

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

East Carolina can defeat South Carolina on Saturday if it achieves these key objectives:

STOP THE RUN

South Carolina boasts one of the nation’s best running backs in Marcus Lattimore. The Heisman candidate had a season-ending knee injury last year but is back fully healthy in 2012. Lattimore has 9 career 100-yard rushing games, including last week's performance against Vanderbilt (23 carries 110 yards, 4.8 yards per carry). He has rushed for 29 career touchdowns and ranks 13th in school history in career yards. South Carolina quarterback Connor Shaw was the second leading rusher last week against Vandy with 13 rushes for 92 yards. All totaled, the Gamecocks rushed 47 times for 205 yards. They are currently running the ball twice as much as they are passing it (47 rushes, 23 passes). With injuries and suspensions sidelining major contributors on their defensive line, the Pirates will rely on a host of younger, inexperienced lineman to fill gaps and corral Lattimore. This young group is very talented and features a good group of linebackers behind them. It will take a herculean effort from that front seven to shut down the Gamecock rushing attack.

PAVE THE WAY UP FRONT

South Carolina has two of the best defensive ends in the country. Both Devin Taylor (6-8, 267 lbs.) and Jadeveon Clowney (6-6, 256 lbs.) will be playing in the NFL in the near future. Taylor ranks first among active SEC defensemen in sacks. The Gamecock defense as a whole is stellar, but the defensive line in particular is one of the best in the country. It will take a group effort by the East Carolina offensive line to protect QB Rio Johnson and to open holes for the running backs. As Coach Ruffin McNeill likes to say, those five guys along the front have to work as a Nickel in order to be effective. Robert Jones, who started his first game last week after moving over from the defensive side of the ball, played well. Returning starters Adhem Elsawi and Will Simmons are flanked by new starters Jordan Davis and Taylor Hudson. Together, they have a huge task, but it is a challenge that can be met with preparation, game planning and maximum effort.

WIN THE TURNOVER WAR

It's no secret that turnovers play a huge roll in all football games. With ECU facing an opponent that will be bigger, stronger and faster at most positions, avoiding giveaways will have an even higher priority. Handing the ball over to an opponent that already has the advantage of outmatching the Pirates will invite defeat. On the other side of the ball, the ECU defense can change the dynamics of the game by creating takeaways, keeping the ball out of the hands of Lattimore and giving more possessions to Johnson and the Pirate offense. If East Carolina can keep its turnovers to two or less while forcing the Gamecocks to cough up the ball three times or more, its chances of bringing a victory back from Columbia will be markedly better.

BOTTOM LINE

The Pirates will face one of the nation’s best teams on Saturday. The magnitude of the task is real and it will take ECU's A-game on offense, defense, and special teams to pull out a win. Meeting the challenge can start by establishing the running game on offense while keeping the Gamecocks' running game in check. A key will be effective and efficient offensive line play by the Pirates, keeping Rio Johnson off the ground and opening holes for the running backs. Paramount, however, winning the turnover battle can be the difference maker for East Carolina. The Pirates can get off on the right foot by coming into the game expecting to win and playing like a champion.

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PAGE UPDATED 09/07/12 03:17 AM.