East Carolina @ Southern Miss

Date: Saturday, October 28, 2006

Location: M.M. Roberts Stadium (33,000); Hattiesburg, MS

Time: 7:30 pm

Television: CSTV (National)

Records: East Carolina (3-4 overall, 2-2 CUSA); USM (4-3 overall, 2-1 CUSA)

Rankings: None

All-Time Series Record: Southern Miss leads 24-7

Last Meeting: October 1, 2005 in Greenville, NC- Southern Miss 33 East Carolina 7

Injury/Personnel Report:

East Carolina

LB Orlando Farrow (Torn Achilles tendon); out (season)
RB Dominique Lindsay (Knee); out
LB Quentin Cotton (ankle, Achilles tendon); out
WR Bobby Good (broken foot); out
WR Jamar Bryant (thumb); out
OT Terrence Campbell (ankle/foot); questionable
DT Shauntae Hunt (knee); doubtful
WR Kyle Johnson (leg); doubtful

Southern Miss

RB Damion Fletcher (knee); questionable
FS LeVance Richmond (ankle); questionable
OG Travis Cooley; doubtful
C Rob D’Angelo (ankle); questionable

East Carolina @ Southern Miss General Overview

The history runs deep between these two Conference USA schools. The Pirates have played Southern Miss more than any other team in a series that dates back to 1951.

This is the 32 nd time that the two schools have met and Southern Miss has dominated the series, winning 24 of the previous 31 meetings. The Golden Eagles have won five straight games in the series and nine of the last ten. East Carolina’s last win in the series was in 2000 in the regular season finale’, when they won 14-9 in Hattiesburg.

Needless to say, they have been a real thorn in the Pirates’ side down through the years, but fortunately that doesn’t matter when the two teams tee it up this weekend at M.M. Roberts Stadium, which is perhaps more commonly referred to as “The Rock”.

The series has featured some unusual and exciting finishes. The game that is the most memorable and most talked about would have to be the 1986 game, which Southern Miss won 23-21. East Carolina led 21-20 in the waning seconds, but that is when it got crazy. Desperate, Southern Miss completed a pass and then the receiver rolled on his rear end before making an illegal forward pass to a teammate who ran for a touchdown. The official missed that the player was down, which would have meant the game was over; therefore, the Pirates had two options: they could let the touchdown stand and lose OR they could accept the penalty and USM could attempt a chip shot field goal. Well, ECU obviously chose the latter option, but the Golden Eagles would make the field goal to escape with the win. The highlights were showed numerous times on ESPN during the following week and the rule that cost the Pirates was eventually changed. A half can now end on an offensive penalty. It was often referred to as the “ East Carolina rule”.

In 1995, East Carolina was in the thick of the race for the Liberty Bowl and faced a crucial game against fellow Liberty Bowl Alliance member Southern Miss in Hattiesburg. Following a late Southern Miss rally, the Pirates trailed 34-33 and had the ball with time for one, possibly two plays. Head Coach Steve Logan opted to fake the field goal since placekicker Chad Holcomb had struggled mightily on the night. He hoped to accomplish one of two things. Obviously he hoped the Pirates would score a touchdown and win the game without having to kick it. Well, that didn’t happen, but the Southern Miss defenders did interfere with East Carolina tight end Scott Richards in the end zone. The Pirates were then able to accept the penalty and attempt a 29-yard field goal with one second remaining. Holcomb snuck the kick inside the right upright and the Pirates ran onto the field in jubilation to celebrate their fifth victory of the season. The win began a five-game win streak and East Carolina finished the season at 9-3 following their 19-13 victory over Tyrone Willingham’s Stanford Cardinal in the Liberty Bowl.

The Pirates are entering this year’s game coming off a 38-21 victory over SMU. Southern Miss is limping in after getting beat 36-6 at Virginia Tech. It played the game without star freshman running back Damion Fletcher. Fletcher seems to be what makes the USM offense go.

Last year, the Golden Eagles won 33-7 in Greenville, but the game was closer than the score indicated. The Pirates moved the ball well, but continuously shot themselves in the foot with turnovers. They had 363 yards in the game, including 161 on the ground. James Pinkney was 20 of 28 for 202 yards with an interception. Chris Johnson ran for 70 yards on 18 carries while Brandon Fractious carried the football seven times for 35 yards.

East Carolina Offense vs. Southern Miss Defense

Advantage: EAST CAROLINA

The Pirates totaled 438 yards last week against SMU, but only 36 of those were on the ground. ECU has shown the ability to run the football effectively as they had 177 and 208-yard games against Memphis and UVA, respectively. However, their inconsistency along the line has plagued them throughout the season. Their leading rusher is senior Brandon Fractious, who has totaled 255 yards on 68 carries. Brandon Simmons, Michael Hickman and perhaps Chris Johnson will probably see carries as well. Simmons has been playing the role of short-yardage and power back for the Pirates.

Quarterback James Pinkney has completed slightly over 60 percent of his passes for 1,753 yards, throwing seven touchdowns and four interceptions. His number one target is senior wide receiver Aundrae Allison, who has hauled in 32 passes for 402 yards and three scores despite missing two games. Seven different ECU receivers have more than ten receptions. The Pirates utilize their tight ends effectively, as Davon Drew and Jay Sonnhalter have combined to catch 16 passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns. Drew has 13 of those receptions for 154 yards and both of the scores.

The Golden Eagles are giving up 21.1 points and 348.1 yards per game, which includes 148 on the ground. They allowed Virginia Tech to rush for 284 yards last week, but the Pirates don’t have that kind of ground attack. They do have the potential to hurt you in the running game, but there is no doubt that USM will be focusing on slowing down the Pirates’ potent passing attack and trying to force them to win by running the football.

One of their defensive leaders is strong safety Brandon Sumrall. Sumrall, who leads the team in tackles with 42, has posted two interceptions, two sacks, and three forced fumbles. His performance headlines a secondary that is ranked second in CUSA in pass efficiency defense. They will face one of their toughest tasks of the season this week.

The Golden Eagles have recorded ten sacks on the year. They will need to get pressure on the experienced James Pinkney this week. This would help them cut down on their tendency to allow big plays. USM has allowed 25 plays of 20 yards or more this season, which accounts for 37 percent of the yardage they have given up.

Southern Miss Offense vs. East Carolina Defense

Advantage: EVEN

Will Damion Fletcher play? That is the question. He is the main cog in the Golden Eagles’ offensive machine, rushing for 113.5 yard per game, which ranks him 11 th in the nation. He missed last week’s game against Virginia Tech and the lack of his presence took a toll on an inconsistent Southern Miss offense. He underwent a minor knee operation last week to remove some floating cartilage. Jeff Bower has stated, “there is a chance” that he could be back for the ECU game. His absence hurts the Golden Eagles even more when you consider that they’ve had three tailbacks, including two former starters, quit the team this year due to Fletcher’s emergence as the go-to man.

Quarterback Jeremy Young has played well at times, but has struggled with his consistency. This isn’t surprising since he is a first-year starter. Young has completed 54.1 percent of his passes for 939 yards with five touchdowns and four interceptions.

He does possess the ability to hurt you with his feet, but has been bothered by a foot injury recently.

If he isn’t getting it done, you could see back-up Stephen Reaves. Reaves saw significant action in the Golden Eagles’ loss at Tulsa and the lefty threw the ball well in the first half.

Young seems to have four primary targets at wide receiver: Shawn Nelson, Josh Barnes, Rodney Gray, and Damion Carter. Nelson leads the corps with 18 receptions for 244 yards and a score. Carter leads the group in touchdowns and yards per reception with two and 18.4, respectively.

The offensive line is one of the best in the league, but struggled to protect the passer against Virginia Tech, allowing six sacks. The Hokies were able to pin their ears back without Fletcher’s running presence in the lineup. Look for the Pirates’ pass rush to possibly cause problems if the talented freshman doesn’t play this week.

The unit has moved the ball well at times, but has then struggled to get it into the endzone. With a passing attack that averages only 167.1 yards per game, USM really needs Fletcher to play. Either way, the Golden Eagles have to be more efficient in the red zone and can’t afford numerous penalties like they had a week ago.

They will face an East Carolina defense that had one of its better, if not its best, performance of the season against SMU. The Pirates will be without their leading tackler in linebacker Quentin Cotton.

ECU only gave up 89 yards on 34 carries to the Mustangs; however, they don’t have a Damion Fletcher, but Southern Miss may not this week either.

With Cotton out, the Pirates’ leading tackler is strong safety Jamar Flournoy. Newcomers Fred Wilson and Van Eskridge have made significant contributions at linebacker.

The secondary has continued to improve under coach Rick Smith. Its leaders are Pierre Parker and Kasey Ross, each of whom has two interceptions.

The Pirates’ defense has been one of the bend, but don’t break variety. They have done an excellent job of not allowing the big play.

Special Teams

Advantage: Southern Miss

Placekicker Darren McCaleb, who had a strong performance against the Pirates last year, is 11 of 14 on the season with a long of 51 yards. East Carolina’s preseason Lou Groza Award candidate has been at least temporarily beaten out by redshirt freshman Ben Hartman. Hartman made all five extra points and a 36-yarder against SMU.

The Pirates’ hold the edge in the punting match-up as Ryan Dougherty is averaging 44 yards per punt. USM’s Britt Barefoot is averaging 40.8 yards per boot. Dougherty has also pinned the opponent inside the 20 eight times and forced ten fair catches.

Give Barefoot the slight edge as the kickoff specialist. He has averaged kicking it to the three and has recorded 12 touchbacks. Dougherty has forced eight touchbacks.

Neither team’s return game has been spectacular. Each team is averaging approximately 22 yards per return on kickoffs. ECU has had several different players return punts due to ineffectiveness and injuries. USM’s Jasper Faulk is only averaging 3.2 per return.

Give the Golden Eagles the slight edge due to the talented McCaleb.

Intangibles

Advantage: EVEN

Both teams have an awful lot to play for, as they are still in the thick of the Conference USA East Division race. USM stands atop the division right now at 2-1, but the Pirates could be tied for the division lead if they upset the Golden Eagles this week. The game is big for the Golden Eagles, but it is even bigger for the Pirates since they have two conference losses. If they were to lose this game, they would then need USM to lose three of their last four games in the league since they would hold the tiebreaker.

Southern Miss head coach Jeff Bower says it best, “We’re getting into a five-game stretch where you’ve got to play them all like championship games.”

Southern Miss does have the advantage of playing at “The Rock”, a place where they have been very difficult to beat down through the years.

Final Prediction

These two teams have a long, storied history and I expect this game to be a classic dogfight between two rivals. I foresee a close, fairly low-scoring affair. If Fletcher plays, I say the Pirates win 27-24. If he doesn’t play, I’ll say the Pirates will win 28-17.