Keys to the Game Thursday, December 4, 2014 By Kevin Monroe

East Carolina vs. Central Florida

7:30 pm | Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium (cap. 50,000) | TV: ESPN

By Kevin Monroe
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The bowl-bound East Carolina and Central Florida teams will clash tonight in the regular season finale for both squads. The challenge presented by the Knights will be one of the toughest of the year for the Pirates.

Just one year removed from losing first round draft pick Blake Bortles to the NFL, UCF is right back on top. Coach George O'Leary's outfit is trying to earn a share of the American Athletic Conference title for the second year in a row.

Sophomore QB Justin Holman has done a credible job in succeeding Bortles, throwing for 2,387 yards and 19 touchdowns. Offensively the Knights are good, but not great. Defensively they have been great, and it’s this defense that has led them to an 8-3 overall record, 6-1 in the league. UCF ranks in the top 10 in the country in 8 defensive categories.

This game will most likely be won or lost based on the matchup of ECU’s high-powered offense against the Knights' brick wall defense. It won’t be easy for the Pirates, but they can win if they follow this script:

OFFENSIVE RHYTHM AND PACE

Anyone that has watched East Carolina’s offense play this year knows it functions better when it moves at a very fast pace and gets into a rhythm. If the pace starts flowing, as soon as one play finishes the unit gets right back to the line of scrimmage ready to run the next play. This keeps the defense from substituting and the rapid pace will tire out the defenders. The rhythm aspect comes from a steady mix of run and pass that keeps the defense guessing and allows ECU’s playmakers to make things happen. Quarterback Shane Carden is at his best when the offense is steadily moving the chains.

STRETCH THE FIELD

The Knights have super-fast athletes on defense. The way to take advantage of a fast defensive unit is to keep it off balance. The Pirates will try to mix in some screens and draw plays to offset the heavy pass rush. Running the ball from sideline to sideline with stretch plays and sweeps will make UCF play the entire width of the field. Wide receiver screens to the sideline will keep the Knights from stacking the middle of the field (the box). Once the Pirates have stretched them width-wise, it will be time to take some shots downfield. Receiver Cam Worthy has been the deep ball threat all year long, but Justin Hardy, Isaiah Jones and Davon Grayson all have the ability to catch passes down the field and loosen up the aggressive UCF defense.

PROTECT THE QUARTERBACK

UCF has recorded 28 quarterback sacks and 72 tackles for a loss. The numbers rank tops in the American. It will be imperative for ECU to protect Carden. The offense will not be effective if Shane doesn’t have time to throw the football. Not only are the Knights good at rushing the passer, they are good in the secondary as well. They have 16 interceptions and 52 pass breakups on the season. That means that Shane has to be quick in his decision making and accurate when he throws the pass.

BOTTOM LINE

East Carolina faces a very good — but beatable — team tonight. The Pirates have the home field advantage and should have a great crowd on Senior Night to send off two of the best players in school history in Hardy and Carden. All of my keys were offensive for ECU because it is important for the Pirates to solve the UCF defense to win this game. It's a game that ECU can win if it runs a fast-paced, effective offensive scheme, stretches the field with the run and the pass, and protects Shane Carden. Get your popcorn ready... this should be a great one!

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PAGE UPDATED 12/04/14 03:00 AM.