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Keys to the
Game Thursday,
November 28, 2013
By Kevin Monroe |
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East Carolina at Marshall
Friday, Nov. 29, 2013 • 12 pm
Joan C. Edwards Stadium (cap. 38,016)
TV: CBS Sports Network
By
Kevin Monroe
©2013 Bonesville.net
All rights reserved.
East Carolina is on the
road for the second straight week after
a convincing non-league win at North Carolina
State last week. Friday’s game against Conference USA
East Division co-leader Marshall in Huntington, WV, presents much bigger
stakes. Since
dropping a tough C-USA road game
in mid-October to Tulane, the Pirates have won five straight. In order
to keep that streak intact and play in the conference championship game
next week, ECU must win this East Division title game against the
talented Thundering Herd. Accomplishing that objective will require
executing in both the physical and mental aspects of the game.
EMBRACE THE MOMENT
The Pirates have played in
some big games over the years, including bowl games and other high-profile
contests. In games of that magnitude, players can play loose and perform as
expected or they can tense up and let the moment overwhelm them. The Pirates
went into the 2008 and 2009 Conference USA Championship games as as
underdogs to Tulsa and Houston, respectively. Both times, the team rose to
the occasion and got the victory. The difference is that those ECU teams
relished the underdog role. Today’s program is usually favored coming in and
plays from the front. On Friday, the Pirates will need to dig deep and play
loose but keep things in perspective. When the ball is snapped, it's just
another game. If the Pirates play their game hard and fast and refuse to let
the moment get to them, they will be fine.
WIN THIRD DOWN
Marshall quarterback Rakeem Cato is the second best quarterback in C-USA
behind ECU's Shane Carden and one of the best in the country. He has been a
fixture at the QB position for The Herd for what seems like a decade. Cato’s
stats are almost identical to Carden’s with both throwing 32 TDs and 7
interceptions so far this season. The Herd's offense will move the ball and
will score points. A key for the Pirate defense will be to make the most of
its opportunities and to make plays on third down. Marshall is converting
52% of its third downs this season and ECU’s defense is giving up
conversions 45% of the time. The Pirates have to be better on third down
Friday if they want to beat Marshall.
BIG
GAME, BIG PLAYERS
We have all heard the
saying big time players make big plays in big games. Friday’s game will be
no different. Shane Carden has been at the steering wheel of this Pirate
offense, Vintavious cooper is the engine that gets things moving and Justin
hardy is the gas pedal that makes this offense unstoppable. In order to win
this game, all three of these guys need to play well. ECU will need to
establish the running game early and make Marshall play the run before
attacking through the air. Once the Pirates go to the air, they must get the
ball to Justin Hardy. He is one of the nation’s leaders in total receptions
and receptions per game. Whenever he gets the ball, good things happen.
BOTTOM LINE
The Pirates have the opportunity to go
out on top this season, to leave their mark on Conference USA by dominating
it before moving up to the American Athletic Conference next season.
Marshall is ECU's toughest opponent of the season and the game is on the
Herd's home turf. It won’t be easy, but if the Pirates embrace the moment,
get some crucial third down stops and get the ball to their playmakers, they
will win this game on Friday.
E-mail Kevin Monroe.
PAGE UPDATED
11/28/13 02:55 AM.
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