PRE-GAME ANALYSIS
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Keys to the
Game
Friday,
October 29, 2010
By Kevin Monroe |
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East Carolina at Central Florida
Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010, 3:30 p.m. • TV:
BHN/WITN
Bright House Networks Stadium, Orlando, FL
|
For the fifth
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). |
©2010 Bonesville.net
All Rights Reserved.
East
Carolina can defeat Central Florida if it prevails in these key areas
of the game:
Contain the Run
ECU's run-stoppers will face a tough task on Saturday. UCF is averaging 190
yards rushing per game. This Knight ground attack is orchestrated by
freshman quarterback Jeff Godfrey who is averaging 5.2 yards per carry and
50 yards rushing per game. Running backs Ronnie Weaver and Jonathan Davis
also get significant carries. This trio along with a few others have amassed
19 rushing touchdowns in 7 games. Defensively, the Pirates will have to be
prepared for the misdirection wishbone-style running game that UCF deploys.
Push
the Tempo
UCF’s
defense is among the top ten in the country. It ranks first in Conference
USA in scoring, passing, passing efficiency and total defense. The way to
neutralize a defense this skilled is to go right at it and never let off the
accelerator. Quarterback Dominique Davis needs to run the no-huddle offense
with two or three play calls always ready. Tiring out UCF’s defense may be
the most effective strategy of attack. The offensive line will have to know
where defensive end Darius Nall is at all times. Through seven games, Nall
has 6.5 sacks and 9 quarterback hurries. Nall's bookend at the other end of
the line of scrimmage, Bruce Miller, was a preseason All-American and has 3
sacks and 11 quarterback hurries. Moving the football horizontally and
vertically at a rapid pace and getting rid of the football quickly should
keep Davis upright and the defense on its heels.
Covet the Ball
Once
again, turnovers can play a huge role in any game. East Carolina had 4
fumbles versus N.C. State, yet managed to find a way to win — an unlikely
outcome indeed. Those turnovers caused the Pirates to give up momentum and a
21-point lead and left victory in doubt until the game was settled in
overtime — on a State turnover. It was the 3 interceptions thrown by
Wolfpack QB Russell Wilson — including the game-ending pick by ECU freshman
defensive back Damon Magazu — that ultimately led to East Carolina’s
victory. That was at home, with a significant home-field advantage. Four
fumbles on the road this week will lead to a defeat. The Pirates will have
to take care of the football on the ground and through the air to be
successful. The Knights have thrown 7 interceptions in 7 games and have
committed only 3 fumbles. ECU will have to take advantage of any turnovers
that the Knights give them and turn them into points.
THE
BOTTOM LINE
This is the biggest game of the year for both teams. The winner will be in
the driver’s seat to represent the East Division in the Conference USA title
game. The Knights have played for a couple of championships and desperately
want to get back to that level of accomplishment. The Pirates are the
reigning back-to-back champs attempting to be the first team to 3-peat.
Regardless of which team is the favorite, this game is always a good one.
UCF is second in the conference, behind ECU, in home attendance. The crowd
will be electric for this playoff game-type atmosphere.
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Kevin Monroe.
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archives.
10/29/2010 03:05:44 AM
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