PRE-GAME ANALYSIS
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Keys to the
Game
Tuesday,
October 27, 2009
By Kevin Monroe |
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ECU at Memphis
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009, 8 pm
Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
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For the fourth
straight year, Kevin Monroe, color analyst for the Pirate ISP Sports
Radio Network, provides “Kevin’s Keys to The Game,”
his weekly breakdown of what East Carolina must do to beat its
upcoming opponent.
Monroe brings a unique perspective to the task as a
member of the broadcast team and as a former star defensive
back for the Pirates (1995-99). |
©2009 Bonesville.net
All Rights Reserved.
East
Carolina can defeat Memphis if it accomplishes these key objectives:
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Defend the Big Play
Memphis is only 2-5 this season but has tons of talent. The Tigers have
the school's two all-time leaders in touchdown receptions and receiving
yards. Duke Calhoun and Carlos Singleton rank as the third best
receiving duo in the country as it pertains to touchdowns with 40
between them. Calhoun already has 5 touchdown catches this season and 3
of them have been for 60 yards or more.
Running back Curtis Steele had a 240-yard day against Texas-El Paso and
is averaging over 100 yards per game. He has the ability to break the
big one at any given time. The Pirates need to prevent the Tigers from
uncorking explosion plays — those resulting in gains of 20 yards or more
— through the air or on the ground.
-
Run the Football
I used this same key last week but, quite honestly,
running the football is a fundamental element for winning football games
anytime. If you can’t move the ball on the ground, your passing game has
to be unstoppable or you won’t win football games. It’s timely to
mention the topic again, considering recent injuries to Jonathan
Williams and Brandon Jackson.
With Memphis giving up 186 rushing yards per game, ECU has the
capability of having another big day if it has effective up-front
blocking. Running the football successfully will open up the rest of the
offense for the Pirates. Patrick Pinkney is throwing the ball better
over the last few weeks. Being productive on the ground will take the
pressure off him to have to win the game by passing.
-
Feed the Playmakers
The Pirates haven’t had a host of players on offense making big plays
each week. With injuries, schemes, or other issues there just doesn’t
seem to be the same group of names and faces stepping up each week. The
exceptions have been Dwayne Harris and Dominique Lindsay. Harris has run
the football, passed the ball, returned kickoffs and, of course, caught
passes this season. He is the most athletic and dynamic player the
Pirates have. Offensive coordinator Todd Fitch and Coach Skip Holtz have
put him in several positions to keep defenses off guard and allow him to
best help the team. Harris needs to have at least 10-15 touches every
game.
Lindsay has been the one constant yard gainer at running back this
season. ECU started the season off with five good backs, but Lindsay has
been the only one who has been consistently good. When he is healthy you
have to give him the football.
The
Bottom Line
The Pirates missed a big opportunity two weeks ago when they
lost to Southern Methodist. They
could be sitting at 4-0 in the conference and alone atop the Eastern
Division. Instead they are
tied at the top with Marshall and
Southern Mississippi. East Carolina can ill afford to lose another
conference game to a team it should beat. Memphis has good team but has
struggled defensively and has been very inconsistent on offense. The Pirates
have a couple of very tough conference games coming up against Tulsa and
Southern Miss. They need to take advantage of this game against a team they
should beat.
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10/27/2009 01:57:43 AM
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