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Keys to the
Game Friday,
November 22, 2013
By Kevin Monroe |
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East Carolina at N.C. State
Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013 • 12:30 pm
Carter-Finley Stadium (cap. 57,583)
TV: ACC Network
By
Kevin Monroe
©2013 Bonesville.net
All rights reserved.
East Carolina steps out
of conference this week to play rival N.C. State. The Pirates (8-2) are
playing well and headed for a postseason berth, while the Wolfpack (3-7)
is struggling to avoid its worst season since finishing 3-9 in 2006. But
don’t let the teams' relative fortunes to date sway your opinion of how
competitive this game will be. State is a worthy opponent and this
matchup has all the makings for a great game. The Pirates will need to
play solid football and execute the following assignments to prevail:
MAKE
THE ROUTINE PLAY
The East Carolina offense
has exploded over the last several weeks, averaging 52 points per game and
winning four straight since
a 36-33 overtime loss at Tulane. The
Pirates' only other defeat was by a 15-10 margin in
a September defensive battle against
Virginia Tech. East Carolina's current four-game win streak is a result of
the offense clicking on all cylinders and the defense doing its part as
well.
Quarterback Shane
Carden has been successful piloting the offense through the air and on
the ground, with the Pirates taking what each of these last four
opponents has given them. Against the Wolfpack, Carden can’t afford to
make errant passes and the receivers can’t have dropped balls. Blocking
assignments in the running game and passing game will be of the utmost
importance. It only takes one mistake to change the momentum of the game.
BE WARY ON KICK
COVERAGE
One of the few things the Pirates have struggled with this season is
covering kicks, especially kickoffs. State has a very good return man in
Rashard Smith. The Wolfpack is averaging 17.6 yards per kickoff return and
14.6 yards per punt return. ECU cannot afford to concede the field position
advantage to the Pack on special teams — or even worse, give up a touchdown
return. Several defensive starters are on the Pirate kickoff coverage team
and they must take pride in not letting opposing offenses benefit from their
miscues.
The Pirates have strategically opted to sky kick or squib kick a few
times this season. If covering kicks becomes problematic on Saturday,
expect them to deploy that tactic again.
PRIZE
THE FOOTBALL
This is a key that I often
emphasize because, frankly, it’s the most important key every week. Rarely
do teams win games against opponents that win the turnover battle. If the
Pirates give the ball away, State will accept the gift and is good enough to
convert it into points.
The Pack has lost six
straight games but has been close in each of those losses outside of the
Florida State game. On the season, State is only -1 in the turnover
category, which means it has matched its foes almost turnover for
turnover. Regardless of the relative strengths of the teams, mistakes by
the Pirates can change the complexion of the game and can be hard to
overcome.
BOTTOM LINE
The ECU offense has imposed its will
against Conference USA opponents over the last month. However, it’s no
secret that the level of competition in C-USA is not on the same level as
that faced by the Wolfpack in the Atlantic Coast Conference. State's lack of
success is as much a credit to its competition as it is an indictment of its
shortcomings. The Pack is a better team than the record indicates.
The Pirates must make the routine
plays, cover kicks on special teams and protect the football if they
want to prevail on Saturday. If they do those things, they are good
enough to win this game.
E-mail Kevin Monroe.
PAGE UPDATED
11/22/13 02:49 AM.
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