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TheEdge
Passing offense
TCU
TCU is now last in C-USA and 89th in the
nation in passing offense, averaging just 177.8 yards
through the air. Senior Sean Stilley needs to shake
off his lackluster performance against Tulane where
he threw for just 96 yards. Senior Adrian Madise returns
from a leg injury.
East
Carolina
Sophomore Paul Troth, a first-year starter, will come
out slinging. He is wildly inconsistent though, throwing
14 interceptions. For changes of pace, head coach Steve
Logan inserts sophomore scrambler Desmond Robinson.
Senior Richard Alston is the team’s deep threat,
averaging 20.4 yards a catch.
Edge:
East Carolina
Rushing
offense
TCU
True freshman Lonta Hobbs turned 19 on Nov. 19. He receives
a nice birthday present in ECU’s 108th ranked run
defense, which allows 207.0 yards a game. Count on him
extending his 100-yard game streak to four. In addition,
junior Ricky Madison will receive equal opportunities
for carries.
East
Carolina
The
Pirates run an open pro-style offense where only the
fullback receives carries. Junior Art Brown has 969
yards and 14 touchdowns on 196 carries. Junior Brian
Rimpf is one of the best linemen that TCU will face
this year.
Edge:
TCU
Passing
defense
TCU
Senior
Jason Goss is talented enough to single cover receivers
down the sideline. He leads TCU with 16 passes broken
up. Senior Kenneth Hilliard rarely misses tackles in
the secondary. TCU’s defense has compiled 19 sacks
in the last two games.
East
Carolina
The Pirate secondary combined has one less interception
on the season than Goss. Senior free safety Kelly Hardy
leads the team with 79 tackles. They are 88th in the
country in passing defense, allowing 238.2 yards a game.
Edge:
TCU
Rushing
defense
TCU
The Frogs lead the nation in stopping the run, giving
up just 56.2 yards a game on the ground. Senior LaMarcus
McDonald has made 24 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
Junior Chad Pugh is second on the team in tackle for
loss.
East
Carolina
While the Pirates are poor at stopping the pass, their
running defense is dreadful. They allowed 536 rushing
yards against West Virginia.
Edge:
TCU
Special
teams
TCU
Junior kicker Nick Browne has connected on 22 of 26
field goals. However, he missed his last two against
Tulane. LaTarence Dunbar, a senior, averages 29.8 yards
a kick return. Senior punt returner Terran Williams
gives TCU positive yards on every return.
East
Carolina
Senior punter Jarad Preston has a cannon of a leg. However,
he frequently outkicks his coverage as evidenced by
his 29.8 yard net average. Senior Christshawn Gilliam
blocked two punts last week against UAB.
Edge:
TCU
Intangibles
TCU
Liberty Bowl executive director Steve Ehrhart said he
will attend TCU’s home game against Memphis Nov.
30 if they become C-USA co-champions. A win against
East Carolina would clinch that honor.
East
Carolina
Think “Billyball” on the gridiron. The Pirates
can score with any team in the country, but their defense
allows an inordinate amount points. East Carolina could
potentially outscore TCU if they connect on enough deep
balls.
Prediction:
TCU 31,
East Carolina 21
—
Jay Zuckerman
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