UTEP Miners @ East Carolina Pirates preview

Pirates look to collect eighth win on Senior Day, Miners seek bowl eligibility

Date: Friday, November 28, 2008

Time: 1:00 p.m. (EST)

Location: Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium (43,000); Greenville, NC

Television: CBS College Sports

Records: East Carolina (7-4 overall, 5-2 CUSA); UTEP (5-6 overall, 4-3 overall)

Rankings: None

All-Time Series Record: East Carolina leads 1-0

Last Meeting: Saturday, October 13, 2007— El Paso, TX— East Carolina 45 UTEP 42

ECU @ UTEP Injury/Personnel Report:

East Carolina

• LB Jeremy Chambliss, ankle; probable
• CB Dekota Marshall, groin; probable
• LB Cliff Perryman, shoulder; probable
• DE Josh Smith, neck; probable
• LB Pierre Bell, head; questionable
• SS J.J. Milbrook, ankle; questionable
• DE Scotty Robinson, wrist; questionable
• DE C.J. Wilson, foot; questionable
• OT Stanley Bryant, knee; out
• LB Quentin Cotton, knee; out
• DE Marcus Hands, back; out
• WR Dwayne Harris, foot; out
• CB Jerek Hewett, shoulder; out
• WR T.J. Lee, leg; out
• DT Khalif Mitchell, back; out
• LB Melvin Patterson, leg; out
• CB Darryl Reynolds, ankle; out
• WR T.J. Terrell, knee; out
• WR Jamar Bryant, indefinitely suspended; out
• RB Jonathan Williams, indefinitely suspended; out
• DT Brandon Setzer, knee; out
• RB Dominique Lindsay, knee; out

UTEP

• N/A

UTEP @ East Carolina General Overview

After being unable to close the door on the East Division the past two seasons, East Carolina isn’t likely to complain about the ugly nature of its 17-13 division title clinching win at Legion Field last Saturday. The Pirates turned the ball over five times against the Blazers, but the defense rose to the occasion and held the UAB offense out of the end zone time and again. After Travis Simmons’ 26-yard punt return to around mid-field, the offense produced a short, penalty-aided drive and Brandon Simmons rumbled in for the go-ahead score from a couple yards out with 2:20 to play. Then, Pierre Bell made a game-saving, diving interception with just over a minute to play.

After an 0-3 start, UTEP has won five of their last eight games. Mike Price’s club nearly shook things up in the West Division last weekend, but they were unable to finish in their game at Houston. The Miners led 28-9 late in the third quarter, but then the Cougars outscored them 27-7 over the next quarter to take a brief 36-35 advantage. UTEP took the lead right back when safety Josh Ferguson intercepted the pass on the two-point conversion attempt and ran it back for two points. However, Case Keenum and the UH offense went down and scored in the game’s final minute to win 42-37. The loss was the Miners’ second five-point defeat to a one-loss team in the West, as they also dropped a 49-44 home decision to Rice. UTEP is seeking bowl eligibility this weekend in Greenville.

Last year’s instant classic was the first game ever between these two programs. The game was tied at 32 before the Miners’ Marcus Thomas weaved through overrunning and arm-tackling Pirates to break the tie with a 31-yard run with only 34 seconds remaining. However, after the aid of 15-yard facemask penalty, Rob Kass directed ECU on a game-tying drive that concluded with a 34-yard touchdown pass to Juwon Crowell as time expired. ECU held UTEP to a 45-yard Jose Martinez field goal on its overtime possession before winning the contest on a one-yard sneak by Kass.

East Carolina Offense vs. UTEP Defense

Advantage: East Carolina

To say the Pirates have lacked potency on offense would be an understatement. East Carolina has only produced 13 points per game the last four times out.

Against UAB, ECU would be playing without another playmaker for the first time. Without Dwayne Harris’ presence, an already struggling offense would surely have an even tougher time moving the football.

ECU Offensive Coordinator Todd Fitch did a nice job of getting the ball into the hands of senior tight end Davon Drew, who has 32 receptions for 514 yards. The Pirates used their play-action passing game very effectively to accomplish this end. Drew set career highs for receptions (7) and yards (95) with one of those going for a 10-yard touchdown on a corner route in the first quarter. He did fumble on the first play from scrimmage, but responded in a big way.

Darryl Freeney, who has 11 catches for 113 yards, caught four balls for 36 yards versus UAB. However, he was responsible for one of the Pirates five turnovers when he mishandled the handoff on a reverse. Joe Womack had three receptions for 53 yards—including a 41-yarder on a vertical route. He could provide the unit with a much-needed deep threat.

Alex Taylor and Reyn Willis also caught balls in Birmingham.

Pinkney finished the game with a 19-of-25 for 222 yard-effort, but committed three costly turnovers. He threw two interceptions. The first was on an underthrown deep ball off play-action while the other came in the two-minute drill just before the half. The third turnover came in the fourth quarter when he simply dropped the ball as the rush closed in. The Blazers recovered the gift and took over near mid-field.

Junior Rob Kass entered on the next possession and would play the rest of the way.

The Pirates’ passing attack was forced to make plays due to a very poor ground game. However, despite the lackluster effort, J.R. Rogers delivered his best game yet as a Pirate. The speedy tailback finished with 54 yards on ten carries.

Norman Whitley was limited to a scant 17 yards on 11 carries. This is obviously a number that must increase exponentially if this ECU offense is going to be successful.

The offensive line did allow two sacks, but the pass protection was good for the most part. The run blocking must return to where it was earlier in the season.

Expect the Pirates’ approach to be less conservative this week, as their personnel has gained experience.

The UTEP defense has allowed over 700 yards twice this season ( Tulsa and Houston). They incorporated a new 3-3-5 defense this year, but are still allowing 35.5 points and 468.4 yards per contest. They’re surrending nearly 200 yards (195.7) per game on the ground. Opponents are converting 47 percent of their third downs. The Miners rank first in CUSA in turnover margin, as they’ve forced 14 more turnovers than they’ve committed through 11 games.

Adam Vincent leads the team with 101 tackles and has made 6.5 for losses. Da’Mon Cromartie-Smith has 65 stops and is one of four UTEP defenders to have two interceptions. Cornelius Brown leads the team with three of the club’s 14 interceptions.

UTEP Offense vs. East Carolina Defense

Advantage: UTEP

The Miners have been known for their high-powered offenses under Mike Price. This year’s team is no different. UTEP’s aerial attack will be the most potent passing game the Pirates have faced since it was humbled by Houston’s the last week of September.

UTEP averages 34 points and 410 yards per contest—with 281 of those coming through the air.

It all starts with sophomore signal-caller Trevor Vittatoe. The Pirates are well aware of him after he threw for 409 yards against them in El Paso last season. Vittatoe has completed right at 60 percent of his attempts while amassing 2,961 yards. He possesses a magnificent touchdown to interception ratio of 31 to six. His 31 touchdown passes are a UTEP single-season record. He is already fourth on the Miners’ career passing list and will be at least third, if not second, after playing the Pirates. The 6’2”, 215-pounder needs only 69 yards to pass Sammy Garcia. He needs 424 to pass Billy Stevens, who currently ranks second behind all-time leader Jordan Palmer.

Vittatoe’s top two targets are Jeff Moturi and Kris Adams. Moturi has 48 receptions for 642 yards and nine scores. Adams averages 20.5 yards per catch on his 41 receptions and has reached the end zone 13 times. Jamar Hunt also has 31 catches for 367 yards and a couple touchdowns.

Terrell Jackson is the team’s leading rusher. Jackson has 407 yards and is averaging 3.9 yards per carry.

Despite some reshuffling, the offensive line did not allow a sack until the next to last drive against Houston.

The East Carolina defense has been playing very well of late—particularly when you consider some of the key losses it has suffered. The Pirates are only giving up 14 points per game through their last five. Against UAB, they held the elusive Joe Webb in check and the Blazers were unable to muster much of anything after scoring on their first possession. However, the best offense that ECU faced during that stretch—Southern Miss—put up over 430 yards, but was held to 21 points.

The Pirates’ offense placed the defense in short-field situations time and time again, but the unit delivered big goal line stands that resulted in either made or missed field goals.

Linebacker Pierre Bell continued his excellent play. He recorded nine tackles and came up with the game-saving interception with just over a minute to play.

Dustin Lineback made his first start against UAB and played well.

Travis Simmons and Emanuel Davis saw plenty of time at cornerback and did a nice job of blanketing the Blazer receivers.

The Pirates must tackle better, as there were several times when they had pressure on Joe Webb; however, they were unable to sack him and he nearly hurt them with big plays as a result.

ECU has been forced to keep things simple due to the changes in personnel, but they’ll have to mix it up a little bit more against such a prolific offense.

ECU vs. UTEP Special Teams

Advantage: UTEP

Give the Miners the edge in the kicking game due to them possessing Lou Groza semi-finalist Jose Martinez. Martinez, who finished in the final three for the award last year, has connected on 20-of-26 attempts this season. Five of those six misses have been from 50-plus yards. Martinez connected on a 64-yarder earlier this season. He also handles the kickoff duties and he has put 32 of his 68 into the end zone for touchbacks.

After struggling with his consistency last season, East Carolina placekicker Ben Hartman had demonstrated more dependability this year. He had made 11-of-15 attempts through six games. However, he has gone 2-of-7 the past two weeks at USM and UAB. He connected on a 47-yarder against the Blazers. His misses came from 43 and 42.

Matt Dodge set the Blazers up with a short field to start the game when he hooked his kickoff out-of-bounds. However, he did show more consistency in the punting game as he did not have any shanks and he used the roll on the artificial surface in his favor.

UTEP punter Kyle Petersen is averaging 43.4 yards on 41 punts. He has forced 12 fair catches and has pinned the opposition inside the 20 on 16 occasions.

In the return game, ECU debuted three new return men against UAB. Michael Bowman and J.R. Rogers each had a nice kickoff return of 35 yards or more. Travis Simmons did a nice job of bringing back the punts. His final effort, a 26-yarder, set up the game-winning drive.

Josh Ferguson averages 7.8 yards per punt return for the Miners. He also has 21 kickoff returns for 23.5 yards—with a long of 50. Wide receiver Jeff Moturi is the other deep man on kickoffs. He has brought 13 back for an average of 26.7 yards. He has a long return of 58.

Intangibles

Advantage: Even

UTEP comes to town attempting to achieve bowl eligible status, which they hope will result in their first bowl trip since 2005. They also will be looking to avenge last year’s overtime loss at the Sun Bowl. That loss began a six-game losing streak that resulted in a 4-8 final record in 2007.

However, they will be facing the reality of dealing with a short week after an emotional, last-minute 42-37 loss at Houston on Saturday. They will also be forced to handle the same 1,680 mile trip that ECU did last season.

After locking up the East Division title and removing any doubt of being left out of a bowl with the win at UAB, ECU will be faced with a game that is inconsequential in the league standings. Thus, will the Pirates be ready to play? Expect them to prepared to go. It will be senior day at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium and one of 12, well 14 precious Saturday’s that the players have worked year round for.

All indications are that the Pirates are approaching the game as one of 12, which should be the case.

The crowd will likely be less than capacity given the Friday kickoff on a holiday weekend. However, expect the crowd to be into the game as they hope to help spur their Pirates to their fourth win in five tries this year.

East Carolina also has demonstrated tremendous perseverance in overcoming the injuries and other hardships it has experienced in recent weeks.

East Carolina-UTEP Final Prediction & Analysis

With its lack of offense—which is partially the result of injuries and suspensions to its top playmakers, East Carolina has been winning with defense. Thus, since they’re scoring very few points, the margin for error is very small.

While the defense has certainly done a great job of battling losses and stopping the opposition, it hasn’t been facing offenses the caliber of UTEP’s.

Offensively, the Pirates must start finishing drives in the red zone. With opportunities for points being few and far between, they must capitalize when the chances present themselves. They must also do a better job of running the football and converting in short yardage situations, which will allow them to control the football and keep it away from Vittatoe and company. The unit hasn’t scored 20 since the Memphis game and it will need at least that many to win this one.

Defensively, ECU has been better at applying pressure to the quarterback this season. It must do so in this one. It must force Vittatoe to rush some throws and make ill-advised decisions because otherwise he’ll likely eat the Pirates up through the air. The Pirates must also continue its stingy ways in the red zone.

UTEP leads the league in turnover margin, but ECU must win that battle to have a chance in this one. It will need short fields and extra chances for its offense to produce.

UTEP must simply protect Vittatoe the way it did against Houston and limit the Pirates to field goals in the red zone. ECU won’t get enough chances in the red zone and be able to slow the Miners down enough to win with field goals as it did against Marshall.

In the end, UTEP will win its first season finale’ since 1986. The Pirates inability to muster enough offense will wear on the defense. Vittatoe will throw for 300-plus and the Pirates will forced to regroup before next week’s CUSA title game.

UTEP 30 - East Carolina 17