TCU Daily Skiff Masthead
Friday, November 22, 2002
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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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TCU Daily Skiff © 2003

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