GREENVILLE - East Carolina football coach Skip Holtz spent last Saturday's open date at a cabin hideaway with his family. He didn't watch any football on TV, opting instead to ride four-wheelers with his children.

While the R&R was enjoyable, East Carolina's calculating coach is busy now trying to figure out how to get his Pirates free-wheeling in the right direction again as they prepare for a trip to Virginia.

Holtz and his staff have evaluated schemes, play-calling, the offense, the defense and personnel since a 41-24 loss to Houston on Sept. 27. And he has sent a message that competition for starting status will increase and that some upperclassmen's jobs could be in jeopardy.

Specifically, he cited the Pirates' low success rate on third downs as the offense's apparent Achilles' heel. The absence of a big playmaker -- like Chris Johnson was last year -- also has become more pronounced.

On third-down snaps, ECU has converted 23 of 64, or 35.9 percent, and that ranks 10th among the 12 Conference USA teams.

"We've got to look at our calls and what we've been doing from a scheme standpoint,'' Holtz said. "[Also], we don't have the big-play player like we had in Chris. We are having to take the ball methodically and drive it down field. If you're not good on third down, that doesn't bode well for productivity."

Not that the offense hasn't had magical moments in the 3-2 start. But it needs more consistency along with improved third-down success.

Defensively, the Pirates have produced a few highlights reel performances and rank second in C-USA in yardage allowed. It also has tripped.

Opponents are gaining too much ground on first down. And the "D" has been burned on explosive pass plays.

"Say 'big pass plays,' and immediately there's talk about our secondary,'' Holtz said. "It's as much our linebackers giving up underneath plays that turn into big [catch-and-run] plays. We'll possibly look at playing more Nickel [scheme]."

However, Holtz pointed out that linebackers Pierre Bell and Nick Johnson -- who replaced injured Quentin Cotton two games ago -- have graded out with winning efforts in all five games.

As for special teams, punter Matt Dodge (45.4 average) and place-kicker Ben Hartman have been solid. But the kickoff coverage and kickoff return units need shoring up.

Without citing individuals, Holtz indicated he won't hesitate to employ younger players if they're out-performing seniors. He isn't one to use a lot of motivational tricks and psychological ploys.

"I'm very honest with them,'' Holtz said. "We're not as together was we need to be. We're holding everybody accountable, players to coaches."

Virginia, which once looked vulnerable, made a stunning turnaround Saturday with a 31-0 win over Maryland. And now Holtz figures it's time for the Pirates to do a 180-degree pirouette.

He said tape study reveals the effort is still there but that the Pirates aren't playing as smart and obviously not at the level that carried them to a 3-0 start.

Maybe, Holtz hopes, the week off will help get them back on track.

INJURY UPDATE: Wide receiver T.J. Lee, who missed the past two games with a foot injury, is practicing again. He's still heralded for his game-winning blocked punt and TD against Virginia Tech.

Defensive end Marcus Hands, out recently with back spasms, also should play Saturday.

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