Behind Enemy Lines: East Carolina

1. With both teams eager to get their first wins in conference play, it's become clear that neither team is going to probably be playing for the conference championship. What were your expectations coming into the season for the Pirates?

With a first time head coach and a first year starter at quarterback and Benkert transferring to Virginia my expectations were modest coming into this season. I saw ECU at 6-6 or 7-5 this season if things fell into place. The Pirates have had a good opportunity to win every game but the Virginia Tech game which was never close. The Pirates’ unwillingness to go under center from the one yard line when you have a 220 pound QB available has only enhanced ECU’s inability to score points inside the ten yard line has shaken up the equation for ECU this season. At 2-4, getting to six wins is going to be a challenge. If they are to do so, that all begins this Saturday in Cincinnati. Should the Pirates come up short this week, their chances of getting to .500 by season’s end go down considerably with Tulsa, Navy, Connecticut and Temple still to come.

2. Defensively, Cincinnati has really struggled recently in the secondary. Does ECU have the weapons necessary to take advantage of this?

ECU’s receiver corp is probably their best asset offensively. Zay Jones leads the nation and the American Athletic Conference in receptions at 14 per game. He is third in receiving yards per game at Quay Johnson ranks 38th nationally at 5.7 receptions per game and Jimmy Williams is producing 78.3 yards a game in catches. Quarterback Philip Nelson ranks 15th in the country at 306 yards passing per outing and ranks 8th nationally and first in the AAC at 26.7 completions per game. ECU ranks 3rd nationally in passing at 378 yards a game which leads the American Athletic Conference. Moving the sticks between the twenties hasn’t been an issue, but scoring points in the red zone has. Passing is still ECU’s bread and butter and I don’t expect that to deviate this Saturday.

3. Prior to last week's game, you were NC State's only loss of the season. What do you feel you haven't been able to do that you were able to earlier on in the season?

East Carolina seemed to lose a bit of their emotional edge after losses at Virginia Tech and South Carolina mostly due to the way they lost those games. It has been in their heads ever since and that has made it increasingly hard to finish drives. The Pirates have had their issues from a kicking perspective and a special teams perspective after giving up several punt and kickoffs for touchdowns. That happened so much that ECU had to resort to squib kicking on kickoffs.

4. What injuries/suspensions are there that we should be aware of? Does East Carolina have the depth to replace them?

ECU comes into this week pretty healthy after a hurricane induced bye week last week. The Pirates were scheduled to play Navy but Hurricane Mathew moved that game to later in the season. The rest was needed and it gave the Pirates an opportunity to heal up in the defensive secondary, along the defensive line and at quarterback where Philip Nelson has been knocked out three times this season. He passed concussion protocol this week and has been practicing with the team all week. Scottie Montgomery says he has had a good week of work and should be ready to go. If for any reason he isn’t, then look for junior college transfer Gardner Minshew to jump in at quarterback. Minshew passed for over 200 yards last time out and was prolific in JUCO.Field cornerback Colby Gore returns after a targeting call found him suspended for one game and defensive back Corey Seargent returns from an injury as well. ECU shows eight deep in the secondary with every starter listed with an OR next to his name. Demetri McGill returns at nose tackle after a two-week rehab for an ankle injury.

5. What do you see being the X-Factor in determining the winner of this game, on each side of the ball? What players should Cincinnati be aware of at all times?

If ECU shows an increased ability to run the football, that will increase their odds of opening the passing game up even more. Finding ways to protect quarterback Philip Nelson will prove big in ECU’s potential fortunes in Nippert Stadium. The Pirates have not been able to produce any sacks this season and that aspect is something the staff has been working to improve over the course of the last two weeks. ECU must be able to kick off deep and get good special teams coverage on both kickoffs and punts. Special teams might figure into this game big time. James Summers is a guy who Cincinnati is very familiar with. Summers plays both running back and goes under center from time to time. He is a player who that the Bearcats have to be mindful of. Jimmy Williams is a quality receiver who provides ECU with a deep threat in the passing game. Obviously Zay Jones is a guy who leads the nation in receptions and will draw major attention defensively. Defensively Demage Bailey at defensive end at 6-5, 310 is a factor for East Carolina. Another player that I like is Rush linebacker Dayon Pratt who at 6-4, 237 can get into the backfield and does a good job in coverage.