PRE-GAME ANALYSIS
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Keys to the
Game
Saturday, November 20, 2010
By Kevin Monroe |
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East Carolina at Rice
Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010, 1 p.m. • TV: WITN/CSS
Rice Stadium, Houston, TX
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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). |
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All Rights Reserved.
East
Carolina can defeat Rice if it prevails in these key aspects
of the game:
Offensive Rhythm
The Pirate offense has been very good over the last two games. Quarterback
Dominique Davis has been central to the success, throwing for 10 touchdowns
and no interceptions over that span. Offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley and
this offensive unit have established an impressive consistency since game 5
at Southern Miss. During that five-game stretch, East Carolina has has
scored at least 33 points and, in four of the five game, thrown for 300 or
more yards and rushed for at least 100 yards. It will be important for the
Pirates to get started early moving the chains and getting their playmakers
involved. Wide receiver Dwayne Harris has 76 receptions, 879 yards and 11
touchdowns on the season. Running backs Jon Williams and Giavanni Ruffin are
each averaging more than 4 yards per carry. Rice is allowing more than 41
points per game and has one of the worst scoring defenses in the country.
ECU will need to take advantage of each of its offensive possessions.
Sure
Tackling
East
Carolina’s defense has struggled this season, a reality accentuated by the
41.4 points per game it is giving up. Part of the problem is "Alignment and
Assignment" football. Guys aren’t getting lined up properly and are
struggling to carry out their assignments when the ball is snapped. This is
the 11th football game; there is no excuse for players to still be lining up
incorrectly or having missed assignments. When they have gotten lined up
properly and carried out their assignments, invariably somebody misses a
tackle. Nothing is more frustrating to a coach then to get all 11 guys in
the perfect position and the opponent still has a big play because of missed
tackles. The key to success is to avoid arm tackling and consistently wrap
up high and drive the ball carrier's legs the correct way.
Ditch the Penalties
Since
the opening week, penalties have been a problem for the Pirates. They are
averaging 77 penalty yards per game and have 81 penalties through 10 games.
That's more than 8 flags per game, and a few games have been in double
figures in penalties. Rice is averaging 25 points per game and has been
successful moving the football and scoring points most of the year. If ECU
keeps Rice’s drives alive because of silly penalties, quarterback Nick
Fanuzzi will extract a price. The East Carolina coaches have made it a
priority to teach discipline and try to minimize those mistakes.
BOTTOM LINE
This is another game the Pirates should win. The Owls are 2-8 and are giving
up 41 points per game. If the Pirates don‘t score 50, I will be very
surprised. But Rice can score too and, if the East Carolina defense doesn't
play well, this could become a shootout. The Owls scored a season-high 49
points last week at Tulane and they are feeling good about the things that
they are doing offensively.
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11/20/2010 05:39:22 AM
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