Spring Break
ECU still chasing conference title game
Pirates face another tough road trip
Jared Jackson, Staff Writer
Issue date: 11/20/08 Section: Sports
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With the Conference USA East Division title still in its control, ECU (6-4, 4-2) takes to the road for the second straight week to face UAB (3-7, 2-4) at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.
The Pirates were unable to seal the deal in winning the East Division last Saturday, losing to Southern Miss 21-3, but with a new week comes a new opportunity.
"Anytime you lose a game it leaves a bad taste in your mouth; a feeling in your stomach," said ECU junior defensive back Van Eskridge. "Luckily we were able to do some things earlier in the year that have put us in the position to where we can still control our own destiny with these next couple of games that we have to play."
While UAB is record-wise one of the worst teams in C-USA, ECU has never been able to win in three tries at UAB dating back to 1999. ECU has lost 10 in a row in the state of Alabama, dating back to 1965.
Two years ago the Pirates were poised to finally slay the Blazers in Birmingham before senior wide receiver Philip Henry fumbled as he made his way into the end zone for the potential game-winning touchdown. UAB held on to win 17-12.
"This is a good football team," ECU coach Skip Holtz said of the current UAB squad. "They've had some very big wins and been extremely competitive."
Just last week, after losing 70-14 to Southern Miss two weeks prior, the Blazers shocked Tulane in New Orleans, 41-24.
The win-while shocking-served the Pirates a notice that the Blazers are no pushover. The UAB win also was impressive due to the fact that ECU struggled in their third game of the season at Tulane; a 24-21 win.
"I really didn't pay much attention to them [UAB] putting up 41 on Tulane," Eskridge said. "I just know Tulane has a great defense; they're ranked ahead of us in some categories. But just by sitting down and looking at UAB on film, they have the capabilities of putting up some big numbers."
The Blazers' offensive attack is led by junior quarterback Joe Webb. At the moment, Webb ranks No.13 in the NCAA in total offense with a little over 287 yards per game. So far this season, he has thrown for 2,007 yards and 10 touchdowns while also being the Blazers' leading rusher with 866 yards and 10 touchdowns.
The other playmakers for UAB include junior running back Rashaud Slaughter, who has rushed for 455 yards and four touchdowns thus far. The wide receiving core for the Blazers is comparable to Memphis is terms of height; all of their starting receivers are at least 6-foot-2.
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