Spring Break
Underdog role no longer on ECU's side
Favored Pirates face first true road game
Jared Jackson, Staff Writer
Issue date: 9/11/08 Section: Sports
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This week, No. 14 ECU (2-0) packs its bags and heads to New Orleans to face Tulane (0-1) in the Pirates' first true road game, as well as the Conference USA opener for both teams.
"This is a huge game for us in many respects, but the main one is because it's the next one on the schedule and our main goal is to just go 1-0," said ECU coach Skip Holtz.
ECU will not only have to worry about the Green Wave this weekend, but also the expectations and media coverage that come with being ranked for the first time since 1999.
"The last two weeks we've had an opportunity to go play a team with a ranking next to their name," Holtz said. "That has been motivation for our players and it has gotten them geared up and riled up. Now we're walking into a game where we not only have to play with a ranking next to our name, but we've got to go play steady football and put forth one of our better efforts if we want to be victorious."
Although national attention has increased significantly over the last two weeks, senior defensive lineman Khalif Mitchell is cherishing the exposure.
"It can all end tomorrow," said Mitchell. "It is an experience. I'm just glad we're focused and all on the right page. It's not that you necessarily block it out because it's there. You more or less have to be a man and understand a man has to handle his business and do his work."
The Pirates, who are 13-point favorites over Tulane, now move away from the home comfort of the Bank of America stadium against Virginia Tech and Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium against West Virginia.
"It's going to be a phenomenal challenge for our football team, not just on the field with it being Tulane's home opening game and with their talented football team, but maybe the biggest challenge we have is being able to go play with a little bit more of a target on our chest," Holtz said.
Mitchell goes further than Holtz in suggesting "they're [Tulane] no different than we were two weeks ago. They're playing a top ranked team and they have an opportunity to try and knock us off."
Against Virginia Tech and WVU, the Pirates' defense was able to feed off a home crowd, delivering two spectacular performances. Now they must rely on each other.
"We've been playing pretty smart," Mitchell said. "It's always good to have your home games and crowd. When I was tired the crowd gave me energy. Now I'm going to rely more on my 10 other guys that I'm playing with to give me that pat on the back."
Senior quarterback Patrick Pinkney also understands the challenges of playing the first road game of the season.
"We have to stick together on the road, no matter who we're playing against," said Pinkney, who is 41-of-51 with two touchdowns this season. "All we have is each other."
Last year ECU crushed Tulane, 35-12, at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. However, the Green Wave led the series in New Orleans, 2-1.
"This week we play a very good Tulane football team," Holtz said. "I know people are going to look at it and say that last year they only won four games and that this is a team which has been on the lower side of the conference when you look at it over the last five to 10 years. But I think coach Toledo has done a great job with this football team."
The Green Wave certainly did look like a changed team last week in a 20-6 losing effort against No.11 Alabama. Tulane out-gained the Crimson Tide 318-172 in total offense and if not for a few costly special team mistakes and an inability to get into the end zone, an upset certainly could have happened.
"This is a football team that on Saturday walked into Alabama, a team which absolutely dismantled Clemson on national television a week ago, and only gave up 172 yards, which is less than we have held either of our two opponents to," Holtz said. "They also held them to less than seven points. Defensively, I have been extremely impressed and I think their defense is just as good as the last two defenses we lined up and played."
Tulane's defense is led by defensive end Reggie Scott, defensive tackle Julian Shives, middle linebacker Evan Lee and right cornerback Charles Scott; all four are seniors. The Green Wave defense held the Crimson Tide to only 11 first downs on 13 drives.
As for the Green Wave offense, it is led by sophomore signal caller Kevin Moore, who was 28-of-49 for 225 yards against Alabama.
"Where they're new is in the backfield at tailback and quarterback, but both of those guys are talented and are doing a nice job right now of managing the game," Holtz said. "I think their quarterback is really going in there and making sure that he's solid and steady. He's giving them a chance to win right now."
The wide receiver and tight end positions are where the Tulane offense features its most skilled playmakers.
Junior wide receiver Jeremy Williams did it all against the Crimson Tide last weekend. He had four catches, four carries and one kickoff return to total 55 all-purpose yards. Senior tight end Justin Kessler had one catch for 26 yards in the game.
Add those weapons to an experience offensive line and the Green Wave could give the Pirate defense some headaches come Saturday.
ECU is not expected to lose to Tulane and could possibly be favored in every game the rest of the season. But with being favored, Pinkney knows that each team is going to play up to the Pirates.
"A team is not going to lay down for you since you're ranked now," Pinkney said. "Tulane is a great team. You watch film and see they've gotten so much better than last year. If we just take care of ourselves, execute on both sides of the ball and keep playing hard, then we'll be fine."
This writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinian.com.
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