Keys to the Game Thursday, November 28, 2013 By Kevin Monroe

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.

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PAGE UPDATED 11/29/13 12:26 AM.