PRE-GAME ANALYSIS
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Keys to the
Game
Thursday, November11, 2010
By Kevin Monroe |
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East Carolina at UAB
Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010, 8 p.m. • TV: CBSCS
Legion Field, Birmingham, AL
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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 UAB if it prevails in these key aspects
of the game:
Protecting the Football
The Pirate defense had a tough enough time trying to stop the vaunted Navy
triple option attack without giving the Midshipmen the luxury of starting
inside the ECU 30-yard line on three straight possessions. The Pirates have
9 fumbles in the last four games, three of the giveaways courtesy of
starting running back Jonathan Williams. The Middies scored on all four ECU
turnovers. This UAB team has struggled some this season, but won on the road
at Southern Miss and took the Tennessee Volunteers into double overtime. The
Blazers are very talented and, if given the opportunity, will take advantage
of Pirate turnovers. ECU quarterback Dominique Davis managed to throw 65
passes against Navy with zero interceptions, but the ball managed to find
its way onto the turf four times. If ECU is going to win this game, it needs
to protect the football and minimize turnovers.
Sticking to Assignments on 'D'
As a
defensive player, there is nothing more simple then playing against Navy.
That doesn’t take away from what Navy does, because the Middies tell you
what they are going to do and force you to stop them. That being said, Navy
players were running untouched all game, which means people were missing
their assignments. On every play, somebody had the dive man, somebody had
the pitch man and someone was responsible for the QB. UAB will mix in the
run and pass and ECU will have to use discipline this week to stop the
scheme. The Blazers have four runners with at least 35 carries, each of whom
is averaging averaging more than 4 yards per carry. Backup quarterback David
Isabelle is the team's second leading rusher. Isabelle started the season as
the number one QB, but gave way in game three to Bryan Ellis, who is the
better passer. Ellis is averaging 2 TD passes per game since becoming the
starter.
Covering Kicks
Since
the opening kickoff of the Central Florida game, when the UCF returner took
the ball almost to midfield, the Pirates have been inconsistent in their
kickoff coverage. UAB's Frantrell Forrest and Pat Shed are each averaging
more than 20 yards per kickoff return. With a defense that is already
struggling, East Carolina can ill afford to give up great field position due
to poor kickoff coverage. Covering kicks is 10 percent alignment and 90
percent will power. As a kickoff cover guy, you just have to want it more
than the guy trying to block you. Beat that first guy and get in your lane
and allow the returner to come to you. Making a big play on kickoff coverage
and forcing a team to drive the ball 80-plus yards for a score can make all
the difference in the world when you are trying to find answers on defense.
BOTTOM LINE
This is another big game for East Carolina. It's a conference game and it's
one the Pirates should win. When the two teams take the field Thursday
night, ECU will be the better team, but that means nothing until the game is
played out. Southern Miss was better than UAB on paper as well, but UAB
found a way to win. The Pirates no longer control their own destiny in the
Conference USA championship race — all they can do is win out and hope that
UCF stumbles twice down the stretch. A victory in Birmingham on Thursday
will be a huge confidence booster for this ball club.
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Kevin Monroe.
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archives.
11/11/2010 03:19:10 AM
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