Keys to the Game Sunday, December 22, 2013 By Kevin Monroe

East Carolina vs. Ohio
Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl
Monday, Dec. 23, 2013 • 2 pm
Tropicana Field (cap. 34,078)
TV: ESPN

By Kevin Monroe
©2013 Bonesville.net
All rights reserved.

East Carolina is playing in its third bowl game in four years under Ruffin McNeal, but the Pirates have yet to win a postseason game in the McNeill era. After their regular-season-ending loss at Marshall, they want nothing more than to finish on a winning note with a bowl victory. Marshall played its best game of the season against the Pirates, executing nearly flawlessly on offense, defense and special teams. That was a feat the Thundering Herd was unable to repeat in the loss a week later to Rice in the Conference USA championship game. The Pirates finished second in the C-USA East Division for the second straight season. Beating Ohio on Monday would be a good way to numb the pain of coming up short in the conference race. Accomplishing that objective will require carrying out a solid game plan against the Bobcats.

FAST START AND QUICK PACE

The Pirates scored a touchdown on the opening drive of all but three games. They lost two of those games — to Tulane and Marshall. ECU's first several plays in each game are scripted. That script has ended with a Pirate touchdown in 9 of 12 games. Offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley and quarterback Shane Carden must get the offense in gear from the beginning. If they are able to achieve that quick start, they need to keep the pressure on this Bobcats defense that is giving up 26 points and almost 400 total yards per game. The Pirate offense is best when it is moving in rhythm at a brisk pace keeping opposing defenses guessing.

FEED THE PLAYMAKERS

The Pirates go as Shane Carden goes. He was voted MVP of Conference USA and is one of the top quarterbacks in the nation. He must play with poise and confidence as he has for the majority of the 2013 season. Shane cannot do it by himself, so he must get the football to his playmakers. Justin Hardy has had one of the best seasons of any receiver in the annals of East Carolina football with 95 receptions for 1,200 yards, an average of 100 yards per game. He was a first-team All-Conference USA performer this season and is a threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball. If Justin is the main playmaker through the air, running back Vintavious Cooper is the top dog on the ground. Tay rushed for just shy of 1,000 yards this season, averaging 83 yards per game and nearly 5 yards per carry. Getting Tay 20 touches and Justin 10 touches should be Shane's goal heading into the game. If the Pirates can achieve that kind of balanced attack, there is no doubt the offense will be successful.

BRING THE HEAT

Ohio senior Tyler Tettleton is one of the best quarterbacks the Pirates will have faced in 2013. Tettleton has thrown for 2,600 yards with 20 touchdowns versus 9 interceptions. He has completed passes to 15 receivers this year and currently holds 27 school records, including passing yards and touchdowns. Opponents have only gotten 16 sacks against the Bobcats through 12 games this season, while the Pirates have recorded 35 sacks through the same amount of games. Getting pressure on Tettleton and not allowing him to get the ball to Donta Foster or his other host of capable receivers will by priority number one for ECU.

BOTTOM LINE

The Pirates have the opportunity to go out on top this season and leave their mark on the Pirate history books as only the second team to win 10 or more games. Coach McNeil is thrilled with the preparation of his team over these last couple weeks. ECU has a lot to prove after its loss to Marshall on Nov. 29. If the Pirates start crisply, play fast, get the ball into the hands of their playmakers and put pressure on Tyler Tettleton, they have a very good chance of winning Monday’s game.

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PAGE UPDATED 12/21/13 10:27 AM.