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.

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PAGE UPDATED 09/13/13 03:36 AM.