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Tuesday,
October 30, 2001
The
Edge Box
How
the two teams match up:
Passing
offense
TCU
Junior
Sean Stilley will probably make his second start, 10 days
after leading the TCU offense to its most productive day of
the year, throwing for 273 yards last week and three touchdowns.
The Frogs need for Stilley to have another big game.
East
Carolina
The Pirates’ offense is a two-headed monster, with Henry
and quarterback David Gerrard. The TCU secondary has been
ripped by lesser quarterbacks than Gerrard.
Edge:
East Carolina
Rushing
offense
TCU
Sophomore Corey Connally has secured the starting tailback
spot after a 151-yard, one touchdown performance against Army.
He should find similar running room tonight.
East
Carolina
Tailback Leonard Henry has rushed for 100 yards in six-straight
games and has averaged 134.7 this year. The Pirates’
balance on offense starts with the running game, which averages
216 yards per game.
Edge:
Even
Passing
defense
TCU
Though ECU runs often, Gerrard can take over a game (268 yards,
one touchdown last week versus Memphis). TCU’s struggling
pass defense bolstered itself with a solid performance against
Army. The Frogs cannot allow the blown coverages that have
become all too common.
East
Carolina
In the ECU secondary’s last game against Army, the Pirates
let Chad Jenkins have his best day as a cadet. Stilley, with
more weapons, could find the Pirates equally hospitable.
Edge:
Even
Rushing
defense
TCU
The strength of the TCU defense has been its ability to stop
the run. Henry hasn’t been shut down all year. It says
here he will tonight.
East
Carolina
The Pirates are coming off a solid defensive performance,
holding Memphis to 72 yards rushing. That performance, however,
is the exception rather than the rule.
Edge:
TCU
Special
Teams
TCU
TCU is getting its kicks in the kicking game. Punter Joey
Biasatti, who broke his leg last year, has responded by averaging
43.1 yards per punt and dropping 14 inside the 20-yard line.
East
Carolina
ECU have performed rather special this year as well. Punter
Jarad Preston averages 44.36 yards on his 28 punts (No. 9).
Edge:
TCU
Intangibles
TCU
At 2-1, TCU can tie ECU for third place in conference play
with a win tonight.
East
Carolina
The Pirates are looking to a potential title-deciding matchup
with Louisville, and also want to revenge their 1999 Mobile
Alabama Bowl defeat.
Edge:
East Carolina
Prediction:
ECU 28, TCU 24
—
Matt Stiver
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