Kevin's Keys to the Game Saturday, October 21, 2006 By Kevin Monroe

Game 7: SMU at ECU

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East Carolina can defeat Southern Methodist if it accomplishes these key objectives:

1. Back to Basics: The Tulsa game was a case of out and out domination by the Golden Hurricane. They controlled the line of scrimmage on offense and defense and showed that they are truly the team to beat in Conference USA. In the process, Tulsa demonstrated the standards of performance ECU should strive for in terms of fundamentals. The one-sided outcome was an indication the Pirates need to go back to the basics. ECU is a pass first, run second program and got away from that last week. There are some key injuries at wide receiver but there are still capable guys to catch the football (Phillip Henry, Kevin Roach, Steven Rogers). When quarterback James Pinkney is in the shotgun with time to throw, there aren’t many in the country better.

2. Bend, Don’t Break: The Pirates have been careful not to give up the big play so far this season. The one big play that comes to mind is the 60-yard screen pass by Pat White versus West Virginia that really sealed the game for the Mountaineers. SMU has some big play threats on offense that could change the momentum of the game. Freshman wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders has caught touchdown passes in the last five consecutive games.  On the other side, wideout Bobby Chase has amassed 351 yards receiving this season and is 12th on SMU’s all time yardage list. The Mustangs only average 190 yards per game through the air, but QB Justin Willis has the highest passer rating in C-USA at 166.1. Last week, Willis completed 20 of 23 passes for four touchdowns versus Marshall. East Carolina’s defensive backs must compete for every pass to win this game.

3. Home Field Advantage: The Pirates are 2-2 in four straight home games. To be considered a good football team, you must win the majority of your home games.  A win against SMU on Homecoming would make this five-game stand successful (3-2). The home crowd feeds off the energy of the players. If ECU comes out with a little swagger and takes the early lead, Dowdy-Ficklen stadium will be rocking.

4. Stop the Sleeping Giant: Eric Dickerson, Craig James and the other horseman are long gone from the campus of Southern Methodist University, and the Mustangs have been down ever since they left. However, things are looking up for SMU these days under the watchful eye of head coach Phil Bennett. Now in his fifth season with the Mustangs, he is finally starting to reap the benefits of his hard work. Having won 7 of its last 10 going back to last year, SMU is starting to remember what it feels like to win. There are plenty of athletes to go around in the state of Texas, so once this giant finally wakes up, he is going to be plenty hungry. The Pirates need to hop on the Mustangs early and not let up for a second. Given its past, I think SMU will back down from a fierce battle, but if ECU lets the Mustangs stay in the game, they have the talent to win.

The Bottom Line: This is a must win game if the Pirates want to become bowl eligible and stay alive for a spot in the C-USA championship game. Starting out 1-3 in the conference would all but kill ECU's chances of doing either. SMU is playing well and has plenty of talent, but the Pirates are the better team and should win this game.

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02/23/2007 10:32:28 AM
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