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Greg's Game Day Breakdown

East Carolina at Central Florida

Oct. 4, 2012 � 8 p.m.

By Greg Vacek
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Game Knight in Orlando: Central Florida's final quest through Conference USA begins Thursday night as it hosts ECU in a primetime, nationally-televised game (CBS Sports Network). The Pirates will try to move their league record to 3-0 for the only the third time since 2001. UCF is in its final season in the conference before moving to the Big East in all sports in 2013-14. A win on Thursday will go a long way toward dreams of a conference title. The Knights will face stiff competition from Southern Methodist and West division leader, 4-0 Tulsa, later in the year. If the Pirates can win this game, they will remain in control of their own destiny in pursuit of the C-USA title.
UCF TALE OF THE TAPE* ECU
76th/151.8 Rushing Offense 101st/120.2
57th/239.2 Passing Offense 69th/225.6
75th/391.0 Total Offense 100th/345.8
52nd/30.2 Scoring Offense 108th/20.6
54th/141.5 Rushing Defense 33rd/117.5
39th/117.2 Pass Efficiency Defense 57th/126.31
37th/347.0 Total Defense 73rd/404.6
45th/21.5 Scoring Defense 60th/24.0
T-39th/.5 Turnover Margin 71st/-0.2
25th/2.75 Sacks 55th/2.0
T-56/1.75 Sacks Allowed 67th/2.0

*2012 FBS National ranking

TOP PERFORMERS AT A GLANCE

PASSING  ATT. CMP. INT. YDS. TD
UCF - Blake Bortles 130 87 5 935 9
ECU - Shane Carden 115 70 4 693 3

RUSHING ATT. YDS. AVG. TD
UCF - Storm Johnson 57 280 4.9 2
ECU - Vntvus Cooper 51 304 6.0 1

RECEIVING NO. YDS. AVG. TD
UCF - J.J. Worton 17 246 14.5 1
ECU - Justin Hardy 34 361 10.6 4

TACKLES UT AT TFL SACKS
UCF - Terrance Plummer 17 19 2.5 0
ECU - Damon Magazu 20 15 0 0

UCF utilizes a multiple offensive attack while employing a multiple 4-3 defensive alignment.  ECU will line up in a spread offense and use a 3-4 when defending.

WORTH NOTING
� UCF ranks third in the country with only 3.5 penalties per game this season. East Carolina, stands fifth with a 3.8 average. The national leader is Kansas State (2.0).

� UCF is averaging just over 38,000 fans per home game this season, which is good for second in Conference USA, trailing only East Carolina's 48,420.
� UCF has forced six fumbles in just four games and at least one fumble in eight-consecutive games. The Pirates have forced a turnover in 22 of their last 25 games. In all, East Carolina has created two or more turnovers in eight of its last 12 games.  ECU has won 12 of 17 games (12-5) when it forces two or more turnovers in the Ruffin McNeill era, but is just 2-11 in contests when it doesn�t. ECU has won 12 of its last 13 games when forcing three or more turnovers.
� The Pirate defense has allowed only 24 points (12.0 ppg) in their first two C-USA contests this season.
� ECU has won eight of 10 games in the Ruffin McNeill era when outrushing its opponent � losses to SMU in 2010 and Marshall in 2011 are the lone exceptions. RB Vintavious Cooper has led ECU in rushing the last four contests, booking
career highs in carries (23) and yards (151) against Texas-El Paso.
� ECU has won 11 of its last 15 road games against C-USA East Division opponents.
� ECU has won four-straight games (and 32 of 37) when scoring 30 or more points, but has lost 13 straight games when scoring 20 or less points.

Read Greg Vacek's Complete Analysis of Today's Opponent on Boneyard Banter.

Key Links: Kevin's Keys to the Game | C-USA at a Glance | ECU Recruiting | ECU Schedule

GAME DAY WEATHER

It will be another warm one for the Pirates as a temperature of 81 degrees is projected for the 8 p.m. kickoff at Central Florida. It will feel even warmer with a heat index of 87 degrees. East Carolina should be in excellent shape as the running programs of strength and conditioning coach Jeff Connors continue during the season after the arduous workouts of summer. The forecast is calling for 79 percent humidity with a 40 percent chance of a shower. If rain and/or lightning become factors, ECU should be prepared for that eventuality as well. The Pirates topped Texas-El Paso 28-18 last week after a thunderstorm came through and delayed the game in the second quarter for one hour, 20 minutes. Winds are projected to be northeast at seven miles per hour at kickoff, diminishing to five miles per hour by game's end. The field at Bright House Stadium runs North and South with ECU appropriately designated for the East sideline. (Filed by Al Myatt)

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PAGE UPDATED 10/04/12 02:12 AM.

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