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ECU
coach
Ruffin
McNeill
met
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the
media
as
the
Pirates
prepared
to
depart
for
the
Beef
'O'
Brady's
Bowl
(recorded
by
Brian
Bailey;
file
photo
by W.A.
Myatt):
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By
Kevin Monroe
�2013 Bonesville.net
All rights reserved.
View the Mobile Alpha version of this page.
East
Carolina is playing in its third bowl game in four years under Ruffin
McNeal, but the Pirates have yet to win a postseason game in the McNeill
era. After their
regular-season-ending loss at Marshall,
they want nothing more than to finish on a winning note with a bowl
victory. Marshall played its best game of the season against the
Pirates, executing nearly flawlessly on offense, defense and special
teams. That was a feat the Thundering Herd was unable to repeat in the
loss a week later to Rice in the Conference USA championship game. The
Pirates finished second in the C-USA East Division for the second
straight season. Beating Ohio on Monday would be a good way to numb the
pain of coming up short in the conference race. Accomplishing that
objective will require carrying out a solid game plan against the
Bobcats.
FAST START AND QUICK PACE
The Pirates
scored a touchdown on the opening drive of all but three games. They lost
two of those games �
to Tulane and Marshall. ECU's first
several plays in each game are scripted. That script has ended with a Pirate
touchdown in 9 of 12 games. Offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley and
quarterback Shane Carden must get the offense in gear from the beginning. If
they are able to achieve that quick start, they need to keep the pressure on
this Bobcats defense that is giving up 26 points and almost 400 total yards
per game. The Pirate offense is best when it is moving in rhythm at a brisk
pace keeping opposing defenses guessing.
FEED
THE PLAYMAKERS
The Pirates go as Shane Carden goes. He was voted MVP of
Conference USA and is one of the top quarterbacks in the nation. He must
play with poise and confidence as he has for the majority of the 2013
season. Shane cannot do it by himself, so he must get the football to his
playmakers. Justin Hardy has had one of the best seasons of any receiver in
the annals of East Carolina football with 95 receptions for 1,200 yards, an
average of 100 yards per game. He was a first-team All-Conference USA
performer this season and is a threat to go the distance every time he
touches the ball. If Justin is the main playmaker through the air, running
back Vintavious Cooper is the top dog on the ground. Tay rushed for just shy
of 1,000 yards this season, averaging 83 yards per game and nearly 5 yards
per carry. Getting Tay 20 touches and Justin 10 touches should be Shane's
goal heading into the game. If the Pirates can achieve that kind of balanced
attack, there is no doubt the offense will be successful.
BRING THE HEAT
Ohio senior
Tyler Tettleton is one of the best quarterbacks the Pirates will have faced
in 2013. Tettleton has thrown for 2,600 yards with 20 touchdowns versus 9
interceptions. He has completed passes to 15 receivers this year and
currently holds 27 school records, including passing yards and touchdowns.
Opponents have only gotten 16 sacks against the Bobcats through 12 games
this season, while the Pirates have recorded 35 sacks through the same
amount of games. Getting pressure on Tettleton and not allowing him to get
the ball to Donta Foster or his other host of capable receivers will by
priority number one for ECU.
BOTTOM LINE
The Pirates have the opportunity
to go out on top this season and leave their mark on the Pirate history
books as only the second team to win 10 or more games. Coach McNeil is
thrilled with the preparation of his team over these last couple weeks. ECU
has a lot to prove after its loss to Marshall on Nov. 29. If the Pirates
start crisply, play fast, get the ball into the hands of their playmakers
and put pressure on Tyler Tettleton, they have a very good chance of winning
Monday�s game.
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