Pirates' 'no frills' defense effective

East Carolina's unit is ranked at the top of Conference USA in three categories

GREENVILLE -- If East Carolina defensive coordinator Greg Hudson had any hair on his head, there might have been times this season when he would have pulled it all out.

Like when Houston scored 41 points and rolled up 621 yards. Or when Virginia racked up 35 points.

But the majority of the season -- and particularly during the current three-game winning streak -- ECU (6-3) has withstood the offensive onslaughts prevalent in this wide-open, air-it-out era.

Heading into Saturday's game at Southern Miss, the Pirates lead Conference USA in total defense, scoring defense, and pass defense.

In victories over Memphis, Central Florida and Marshall, they've given up an average of just 12 points, while seizing the East Division lead. Granted, those league opponents aren't the most potent offensively, but the Pirates "D" has pleased Hudson and head coach Skip Holtz.

Part of the success is due to mental speed and also an offense that has played some keep-away, such as running 78 plays against Marshall.

"The decision-making after the snap is faster,'' Hudson said. "The line is playing at a high level. That's the key. They are making it hard for [blockers] to get on the linebackers. And the secondary is playing as fast as it has in a while."

Having lost four starters since preseason, ECU simplified the schemes that Hudson calls "user friendly." That has enabled the Pirates to be less robotic and more reckless, playing with instinct.

"We're not a read and react [defense],'' Hudson said. "It's take off and break off. That's what we are about up front."

That front four is anchored by "Lumber" and "Lightning" ends, 271-pound C.J. Wilson and 221-pound Zach Slate, both all-conference caliber performers.

Wilson, also noted for his piano-playing ability, flashes good agility for a player called "Lumber." That mobility, combined with a penchant for popping are reasons he leads C-USA in tackles-for-loss (14) and ranks fourth in sacks (6.5).

Slate is a "hybrid," with a linebacker look, who runs on "high intensity" and makes plays.

The heady senior batted down two passes in the overtime win against Marshall, one on the Herd's tricky flea-flicker attempt.

Also playing significant roles are tackles Jay Ross and Linval Joseph, who is quicker and more durable after shedding 70 pounds (down to 300) in the offseason.

Behind them is a solid linebacking crew of Pierre Bell, who has burgeoned into a ringleader of the defense, Nick Johnson and Cliff Perryman.

The secondary -- inexperienced and porous last year -- has manned up and tightened up. Veteran Van Eskridge, who shares the team tackle lead with Bell, Dekota Marshall, J.J. Millbrook, Leon Best and flourishing redshirt freshman Emanuel Davis are making an impact.

Davis -- seeing more action since Jerek Hewitt got hurt -- has been the Pirates' biggest bandit with three interceptions and a fumble recovery the last two games.

Is it too early to give this Pirates defense a nickname?

"We are a no-frills group,'' said Hudson, yet has a group that produces thrills.

Next challenge is to stop a Southern Miss team Saturday that's averaging 31.9 points and 447 yards a game.

So things could get hairy in Hattiesburg -- but not for Hudson.