Keys to the Game Thursday, November 19, 2015 By Kevin Monroe

East Carolina at Central Florida

7:30 pm | Bright House Networks Stadium (45,000) | TV: ESPN

By Kevin Monroe
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All rights reserved.

East Carolina heads into tonight's American Athletic Conference game at Central Florida at 4-6 after consecutive losses to Temple, Connecticut and South Florida. In each of those defeats, ECU led in the 4th quarter but couldn't hold on. The final quarter has seen the Pirates give up big plays on defense and stumble on offense. The running game has been ineffective from both the quarterback and running back positions, and the passing game has similarly struggled.

James Summers has played nearly all of the snaps over the last two games, but Blake Kemp will probably see more time tonight. The Pirates defense has kept them in every game during the skid. The defenders have given up some explosion plays, but overall they have played well.

The Knights are 0-6 in the conference and 0-10 overall. Their head coach, George O’Leary, resigned midway through the season and UCF is hungry for its first win.

The Pirates can win tonight's game if they follow this script:

MOVE THE BALL

Watching the ECU offense play lately has been frustrating. The unit has lots of talent, but injuries and poor decision-making have handicapped production. Picking up a first down or two has been doable, but stringing three or more first downs together or a unleashing a big play downfield rarely happens anymore. The Pirates have some game changers at every skill position on offense and they have to find a way to get those guys the ball in space.

Tight end Bryce Williams is one of the best in the country and has recently been named to the Senior Bowl roster. Wide receivers Trevon Brown and Isaiah Jones are just two of a group of very talented pass catchers that can change a game with one reception. Running backs Christ Hairston, Anthony Scott, Marquez Grayson and Shawn Furlow are all capable skill players, but the space really hasn’t been there for them to be effective.

The Pirates won’t win either of these last two games if they can’t consistently move the ball offensively. Tonight will be a big test for the offense coming off a bye week to see what adjustments they have made.

DON'T GIVE UP BIG PLAYS

In the last few games, the ECU defense and special teams have played pretty well except for the occasional breakdowns that have allowed huge plays in the second half that have led to defeat. Against Temple it was two blocked punts in the 4th quarter. In the UConn game it was a 90-yard touchdown run in the 3rd quarter. Last game, against USF, it was a 67-yard touchdown pass with five minutes to go in the game.

Containing UCF’s running and passing games for 58 minutes isn’t good enough if the barn door is left open at crunch time. Wrapping up running backs and staying deep in the secondary will be big all game long. The Knights have several skill position guys that can score from anywhere on the field if given enough space.

FINISH THE GAME

Except for the Navy game, the Pirates have been in every game this year until the very end. The other nine games were all winnable late in the 4th quarter. The problem has been not finishing these games off. Getting into an offensive rhythm, taking care of the football and playing smart, aggressive defense are as important in the fourth quarter as in the first three frames.

BOTTOM LINE

UCF hasn’t won a game but has played a very tough schedule both in and out of conference. With losses to Stanford, South Carolina, Temple, Houston and Cincinnati, the Knights certainly haven’t had an easy road. They want to win for interim coach Danny Barrett and avoid a winless season. This game isn’t a gimme for the Pirates – they will have to earn it.

With a week to prepare for this matchup, ECU can certainly get it done if it can keep the chains moving on offense, avoid giving up the big play on defense and finish the game without late lapses. Much is on the line as the Pirates must win this game and the regular season finale at home against Cincinnati to qualify for a bowl bid. Tonight’s game is step one.

E-mail Kevin Monroe.

PAGE UPDATED 11/19/15 03:19 PM.