Keys to the Game Saturday, September 13, 2014 By Kevin Monroe

East Carolina at Virginia Tech

Lane Stadium (cap. 65,632); TV: ESPN

By Kevin Monroe
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Today’s game is a big one for both East Carolina and Virginia Tech. The Hokies are 2-0 coming off a huge win over Ohio State in the Horseshoe in front of 108,000 screaming Buckeye fans. The Pirates are 1-1 coming off a tough loss in which they went toe to toe against South Carolina and, arguably, outplayed the Gamecocks everywhere but on the scoreboard.

The Hokies have spent the week being heroes and hearing how good they are because of the monumental win in Columbus. The Pirates spent the week disappointed because they let the opportunity to beat a top 25 team on the road get away.

How will each team respond? What do the Pirates need to do to beat the Hokies in Lane Stadium?

BE AGGRESSIVE ON OFFENSE

The Pirates scored on their first two possessions against the Gamecocks last week, but both scores were field goals. ECU moved the ball up and down the field, particularly in the first half. From the 20 to the other 20 they were unstoppable, but things stalled when it was time to put it in the end zone. Offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley and quarterback Shane Carden are amongst the best in the country at what they do. To beat the Hokies they will need to be aggressive and take some shots down field and in the end zone. The receiving corps, led by Justin Hardy and Isaiah Jones, run routes well and catch the ball well. Carden will have to trust his instincts, get the ball out quickly, and let those guys do the rest.

ATTACK ON DEFENSE

Tech is starting a new quarterback in Texas Tech transfer Michael Brewer. Today's game will mark only his third career start. Thus far this season, the Pirates have been solid up front. Last week they played against arguably one of the best offensive lines in the country and held their own. Ohio State put plenty of pressure on Brewer and hit him early and often last week. Brewer has only been sacked two times, but he was hurried and hit a lot by the Buckeyes and had two interceptions. Montese Overton, Maurice Falls and Brandon Williams play extremely fast from their line backing spots, and Freddy Pressley and Chrishon Rose have done a good job of pressuring up the middle. Those ECU defenders will have to turn the pressure up a notch to win today.

BE SPECIAL

The Hokies have developed a reputation over the years for their ability to block punts and kicks. The press likes to call this success “Beamer Ball.” East Carolina has been pretty good this year on special teams. Kicker Warren Harvey has been very accurate with the only blemish being a blocked kick last week. New punter Worth Gregory is averaging 51 yards per boot. ECU has done nothing spectacular thus far in the return game, but the Pirates have fielded the ball safely and gotten positive yards. They will need to make a big play on special teams today either in the return game or defensively by causing a turnover.

BOTTOM LINE

This should be a great game today. Both teams are well coached, and each needs to win this game. Virginia Tech has only beaten the Pirates by a total of 12 points over the last two seasons. The first half should be a close one and the team that responds in the third quarter will probably be the team that wins the game.

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PAGE UPDATED 09/13/14 05:31 AM.