|
Keys to the
Game Friday,
September 13, 2013
By Kevin Monroe |
|
ECU vs. Virginia Tech
Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013 • 12 pm
Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium (cap. 50,000)
TV: Fox Sports 1
By
Kevin Monroe
©2013 Bonesville.net
All rights reserved.
The
Hokies are off to a 1-1 start after losing their opener to Alabama and
winning at home against Western Carolina. They will come into Saturday’s
game having won on their last three trips to Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. East
Carolina will present the most dynamic offense the Hokies have faced
this season. Virginia Tech will feature the most talented defense the
Pirates have encountered this year. The atmosphere should be electric as
Dowdy-Ficklen stadium will be rocking.
East
Carolina can defeat the favored Hokies if it performs well in these key aspects of the game:
MOVE
THE CHAINS
Through two games this season the Hokies have been stout on defense. They
only gave up 21 offensive points to top-ranked Alabama. Tech defensive
coordinator Bud Foster has been with Frank Beamer from the beginning. His
defenses are always big, strong and fast, and this year is no different The
Pirates will be pressured at the line of scrimmage and we can expect to see
Hokies in the backfield throughout the game. ECU offensive coordinator
Lincoln Riley will be devising a scheme that allows quarterback Shane Carden
to move around in the pocket and extend plays so he can find receivers
downfield. A good dose of screens and draws will also be helpful in keeping
the Tech front seven off balance. Getting first downs and moving the chains
will be important for two reasons: It means the Pirate offense is having
success and it keeps a talented Hokie offense on the sidelines.
GET OFF THE FIELD ON
THIRD DOWN
The Pirates were very successful stopping Florida Atlantic on third downs
last week, but Virginia Tech is much better offensively. The Hokies have
gotten two running plays for over 77 yards from scrimmage through two games
from running backs Trey Edmunds and Chris Mangus. Edmonds is averaging 5.7
yards per carry and 100 yards per game. As s unit, the Tech offense produced
over 200 yards rushing last week against the Catamounts. The passing game
has been less successful, which is surprising considering that quarterback
Logan Thomas is one of the most highly regarded signal callers in the nation
due to his size, speed and arm strength. He only completed 5-of-27 passes
against Alabama's powerhouse defense. He followed that up with a 17-of-31
performance against Western, which was was still a bit disappointing for
him. If the Pirates can get the Hokies in third and long situations and get
pressure on Thomas, he just may have another rough week.
BE
SPECIAL
The
success Coach Beamer's teams have had over the years disrupting opponents'
field goal and punt attempts is no secret. The Hokies have blocked 129 kicks
in Beamer’s 324 games. The Pirates will have to devote focused attention to
their kicking game and not allow the Hokies to make a big play on special
teams. Conversely, Virginia Tech gave up two touchdown returns against the
Crimson Tide, one on a kickoff and the other on a punt. ECU's Justin Hardy
has been productive on punt returns and the kickoff return team stepped up
last week with an 85-yard return by Lance Ray. If the Pirates can make a few
plays on special teams and out-Beamer the Hokies, they will be in great
shape.
BOTTOM LINE
Virginia Tech is in a
different stratosphere than ECU's previous two opponents and will present
difficult challenges in multiple aspects of the game. The Hokies are solid
on offense and defense and have yet to play their best game offensively.
East Carolina played well offensively against Old Dominion and was effective
defensively against Florida Atlantic, but the Pirates will need to put
together a complete game in order to upset the Hokies.
E-mail Kevin Monroe.
PAGE UPDATED
09/13/13 02:34 AM.
|