Keys to the Game Friday, August 30, 2013 By Kevin Monroe

ECU vs. Old Dominion
Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013 • 7 pm
Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium (cap. 50,000)
TV: Fox College Sports

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

The Monarchs are an interesting opponent for the Pirates. They will be playing in their first Football Bowl Subdivision game when they travel to Greenville on Saturday. ODU will play a full Conference USA schedule in 2014 and will play a total of five FBS teams this season.

The Monarchs, like the Pirates, have a wide open offense. They run a version of the spread that is very pass happy. Last season ODU went 11-2, earning a No. 4 national seed in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs and a No. 6 ranking in the final polls.

East Carolina can defeat ODU on Saturday if it performs well in these key aspects of the game:

DEFEND THE PASS

This game will be won by the team that is able to contain its opponent's passing attack. Last season the Monarch’s and QB Taylor Heinicke passed for 393 yards per game and 44 touchdowns. Heinicke had nine 300-plus-yard passing games, including a record 730 yards versus New Hampshire. He passed for an FCS single-season record 5,076 yards. He also rushed for 11 TD’s last season to compliment his success through the air.

Heinicke won the Walter Payton award for the top player in FCS football. The honor is equivalent to winning the FBS Heisman Trophy. Three of the Monarchs' top four receivers are returning (Antonio Vaughan, Blair Roberts and Larry Pinkard), and each had at least 55 receptions, 700 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns.

The return of Rick Smith as ECU's new defensive coordinator is a good thing if you're sizing up the matchup from the Pirates' standpoint. Expect to see a hungry, aggressive and intelligent defense take the field on Saturday.

FINISH DRIVES WITH TOUCHDOWNS

The Pirates will have their hands full on offense because of the necessity to counteract the propensity of the Monarchs to score when they have the ball. ECU will need to not only score a lot, but score touchdowns when the opportunity arises. ODU averaged 45 points per game last year.

The Pirates are returning several studs on offense, starting at the quarterback position. Junior Shane Carden will return to take the snaps after a stellar sophomore season. Last season saw Carden develop from a frazzled backup into a cool, calm and collected veteran. He completed 66% of his passes for over 3,000 yards. He will be flanked by star receiver Justin Hardy (88 catches, 1,105 yards and 11 touchdowns) and running back Vintavious “Tay” Cooper (1,049 rushing yards, 5.2 yards per carry and 7 touchdowns). This offense was proficient last year, averaging 31 points per game. The attack should be even better in 2013.

I've just named a few of the offensive playmakers, but get ready to see 8-10 different receivers touch the football on Saturday and probably three running backs.

MAKE TURNOVERS AN ADVANTAGE

When the Pirates take the field for any game, taking care of the football on offense and taking it away on defense will be paramount. That will be especially important in the first game of the year, an occasion when teams tend to make mistakes. The goal will be to take the ball away four or more times and turn it over two or less times. The team that wins the turnover battle may not win the game, but that aspect of the contest will certainly make a difference on the scoreboard.

BOTTOM LINE

Old Dominion will come into this game hungry and believing it can win its first challenge against an FBS foe. If ECU lets the Monarchs stay in the game early and gain confidence, it will have a dog fight on its hands. The Pirates need to deliver a punch in the mouth early and not let the Monarchs up off the mat. Last season, ODU gave up an average of 31 points and 420 yards of offense to opposing FCS teams. That defense lost 5 starters. If ECU plays like it is capable of playing, it should take an early lead and never look back.

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PAGE UPDATED 08/30/13 01:06 PM.