By
Kevin Monroe
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East Carolina is finally
back at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium for the first time since Sept. 14. Getting
a 2-1 mark during that road trip makes it a successful one, but
losing to Tulane was a tough
pill to swallow. The Pirates can’t have an emotional hangover against
Conference USA East Division foe Southern Miss on Saturday because the
Golden Eagles are a dangerous team. They have talented players and they
are desperate for a victory. The Pirates can prevail if they deliver on these
objectives:
RESPECT THE RIVALRY
East Carolina versus
Southern Miss has been a big game going back to 1951 when the series
started. Southern won 7 of the first 10 matchups and has a 27-11 overall
lead. Lately, though, the Pirates have emerged as the better team, winning 3
of the last 4. Two of those wins came in Hattiesburg. The fact that the
Golden Eagles have lost their last 17 games means they aren’t playing as
well as they have in the past — but it doesn’t mean they won’t play their
best game on Saturday. USM has scored on every opponent this season and is
not to be taken lightly. The Pirates must forget about the series record and
focus on the rivalry. They must not lose sight of how important it is to USM
to get their first win. The Golden Eagles are hungry for a victory and will
seize the opportunity to grab one if presented.
KEEP
THE PRESSURE ON
The Pirates have scored on their first possession in every game this season.
Last week against Tulane, they got to the one-yard-line and had to settle
for a field goal. They will need to come out the same way on Saturday and
score on the first possession. After that, ECU needs to continue to put
points on the board and put all the pressure on the Golden Eagles. USM
allowed 56 points to Nebraska and 60 points to Boise State. The Pirates
should be able to move the ball, but settling for field goals won’t do. As
the saying goes, pessure will bursts pipes. If ECU can get an early lead,
the pressure will be on in a big way. Losing is contagious and if the Golden
Eagles get behind, I don’t think they will fight. But if ECU lets USM hang
around and keep it close, the result will be another dog fight like the
Pirates have experienced the last two weeks.
GET
OFF THE FIELD ON THIRD DOWN
Opponents are converting
46% on 3rd down against the Pirates, which is unusually high for a defense
that has played as well as ECU's. East Carolina needs to force the Golden
Eagles into 3rd and long situations and require them to convert. The Pirates
have been better in the 4th quarter, giving up conversions only 37% of the
time. If the ECU offense can sustain some drives, it will give the defense
the rest it needs in order to play strong and fast from the 1st quarter to
the 4th.
BOTTOM LINE
Dowdy-Ficklen stadium should be rocking
on Saturday because Pirate fans will be primed to see their team in person
after a bye date and a three-game road swing. ECU has played two close games
since
blowing out North Carolina on Sept.
28. This Southern Miss game could be a nice confidence builder if ECU comes
out and plays well. They game shouldn’t be close, but don’t expect the
Golden Eagles to come into Greenville and hand ECU the victory.
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Kevin Monroe.
Dig into Kevin Monroe's
archives.
Coach
Ruffin McNeill discussed the Pirates' loss
to
Tulane
and
previewed
the
Southern
Miss
game:
The
Steve Logan Show airs on FM 103.7 and FM
94.1 each Monday from 6-8 p.m. Replay last
night's show:
