Tudor's take
The Blazers (5-5, 4-2 Conference USA) are the league's hottest team, led by the league's hottest player in quarterback Joe Webb. Even so, it's difficult to imagine the Pirates (6-4, 5-1) letting this opportunity slip away.
Webb will make it plenty sticky, but ECU's offense looked much improved in Sunday's win at Tulsa. Pirates, 28-21.
Observations
Two-way terror
The nation's 12th-leading rusher, Joe Webb has been voted C-USA offensive player of the week two straight weeks and is as difficult to contain as any player around, averaging 115 yards rushing and 173 yards passing per game.
First of two
After playing so many important games on the road this season, the Pirates could be home free in their East Division chase. Up next in the regular-season finale is Southern Miss, also in ECU's Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
Player to watch
Nick Johnson
ECU, SR., MLB., 6-1, 215
Nearing the end of his career, Johnson has been a marvel of durability and consistency. If the defense can contain Webb, it'll be up to the linebackers to deliver.
By the numbers
UAB | ECU | |
28.5 | scoring | 26.1 |
31.7 | scoring def. | 21.4 |
228.1 | avg. rush yds. | 154.7 |
144.4 | opp. avg. rush yds. | 113.6 |
178.3 | avg. pass yds. | 205.3 |
325.8 | opp. avg. pass yds. | 237.1 |
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