Looking forward to the most exciting and anticipated game in CUSA this year.

Glad the East division champ is being settled on the field between our two teams.

May the best team win... And let's hope we can both be in a league together again in the near future, because this has been a great rivalry game for both schools and fan bases.

So nervous for this game.

I know people are talking about a bad crowd... but I usually have a good peg on the crowd and I'm thinking 28k at least.

30k would be ideal though, will be really nice and loud in that stadium.

(11-24-2013 12:27 AM)fedale Wrote:  So nervous for this game.

I know people are talking about a bad crowd... but I usually have a good peg on the crowd and I'm thinking 28k at least.

30k would be ideal though, will be really nice and loud in that stadium.

you don't think marshall will sell it out?

its ecu, with a division title on the line

if not now, when?

(11-24-2013 12:42 AM)Cardiff Wrote:  

(11-24-2013 12:27 AM)fedale Wrote:  So nervous for this game.

I know people are talking about a bad crowd... but I usually have a good peg on the crowd and I'm thinking 28k at least.

30k would be ideal though, will be really nice and loud in that stadium.

you don't think marshall will sell it out?

its ecu, with a division title on the line

if not now, when?

We've sold out a few times, but noon on a Friday is a tall order. Students are gone. It's just not a good slot. Also a lot of fans are still not sold after being jaded too many times with the promise of something great over the last 9 years. Word is we may also be competing with undefeated Huntington High game if the 1:30 timeslot is chosen by the opponent. It is what it is. I hope about 2,500 fans show up so it'll be a constant reminder of the Tulane game for you

Game deserves an evening time slot for sure.

I think that both teams are essentially mirror images of each other but if stats are to be believed, ECU should win:

http://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fbs

-ECU has the edge at QB.
-ECU has the edge in passing offense.
-ECU has the edge in rushing defense.
-ECU has the edge in scoring defense.
-ECU has the edge in red zone defense.
-ECU is the least penalized team of the two.
-ECU has the better TO margin between the two teams.
-ECU has the better 3rd down conversion ratio.
-ECU has the better 4th down conversion ratio.


-Marshall has the edge in rushing offense.
-Marshall has the edge in passing defense.
-Marshall has the edge in red zone offense.

I have no idea how our teams match up with each other in the Special Teams categories.

ECU has the stronger SOS.

Regardless of what the stats say, this will be one hell of a tough game for both of our teams. May the best one win!

(and may that team be Pirates)

(11-24-2013 02:17 AM)Ned Low Wrote:  -ECU has the edge at QB.

You probably think you're clever trying to sneak that one past the fans of the team with the reigning conference player of the year at QB.

ECU does not have the better 3rd Down Conversion Rate. Marshall is 7th nationally at 52.7%, ECU is 10th nationally at 52.0%. One thing I do note is how similar statistically these two teams are across the board.

Average Marshall score: 42.8 - 22.2
Average ECU score: 41.5 - 21.5

(11-24-2013 01:04 AM)ThunderDent Wrote:  Game deserves an evening time slot for sure.

I'm thankful it's not evening.

Definitely one of our strategies should be to use our strong running attack to keep Carden off the field. The difference in QB stats for this year is that we are running the ball very well. Cato hasn't had to throw for 400 yards a game. We're fairly balanced on offense. Eating clock and keeping ECUs offense off the field will be much easier for us to do. If it becomes a shootout, Cato is more than capable of taking over with a passing game and that quickstrike hurry offense. I like having the extra dimension, but we'll see how our backs do against ECU's run defense.

(11-24-2013 01:03 AM)MUther Wrote:  

(11-24-2013 12:42 AM)Cardiff Wrote:  

(11-24-2013 12:27 AM)fedale Wrote:  So nervous for this game.

I know people are talking about a bad crowd... but I usually have a good peg on the crowd and I'm thinking 28k at least.

30k would be ideal though, will be really nice and loud in that stadium.

you don't think marshall will sell it out?

its ecu, with a division title on the line

if not now, when?

We've sold out a few times, but noon on a Friday is a tall order. Students are gone. It's just not a good slot. Also a lot of fans are still not sold after being jaded too many times with the promise of something great over the last 9 years. Word is we may also be competing with undefeated Huntington High game if the 1:30 timeslot is chosen by the opponent. It is what it is. I hope about 2,500 fans show up so it'll be a constant reminder of the Tulane game for you

We've only sold out vs WVU. Huntington will not play 1:30 Friday, it would be Saturday. So many people have to work because of Black Friday also. I hope Wheeling Park beats the crap out of Huntington since I'm a Midland student. Go Knights and Go Herd.

Basically this is the CUSA Championship game. It should be a good one where a turnover or FG could decide it.

The league needs to ensure Leftwich and Garrard are available for interviews.

This game is bittersweet. ECU and C-USA were very happy the day Marshall joined the conference.

(11-24-2013 07:08 AM)ShoreBuc Wrote:  Basically this is the CUSA Championship game. It should be a good one where a turnover or FG could decide it.

Rice disagrees.

Seems like even tho this game has a bad time slot going for it, along with other distractions, that there is A LOT of people talking. A LOT of people getting amped up and bringing big crews of peeps with them, traveling some distances.

Hope any Pirates making the trip up have safe travels. Look forward to seeing you guys. This game will be bittersweet. Really hope we fix that.

(11-24-2013 05:38 AM)MUther Wrote:  Definitely one of our strategies should be to use our strong running attack to keep Carden off the field. The difference in QB stats for this year is that we are running the ball very well. Cato hasn't had to throw for 400 yards a game. We're fairly balanced on offense. Eating clock and keeping ECUs offense off the field will be much easier for us to do. If it becomes a shootout, Cato is more than capable of taking over with a passing game and that quickstrike hurry offense. I like having the extra dimension, but we'll see how our backs do against ECU's run defense.

Mark it down. Marshall will not win running the ball. The key will be Cato throwing and then scrambling. Marshall will be able to move the ball through the air much easier than on the ground. If Doc comes in with a ground attack plan...it will be abandoned at some point in the game.

Cato's arm and scrambling ability will be the key to Marshall winning. IMO...He is the best athlete on the field. ECU must stop Cato..or we get rolled.

(11-24-2013 06:48 AM)MarshallHerdFanz Wrote:  

(11-24-2013 01:03 AM)MUther Wrote:  

(11-24-2013 12:42 AM)Cardiff Wrote:  

(11-24-2013 12:27 AM)fedale Wrote:  So nervous for this game.

I know people are talking about a bad crowd... but I usually have a good peg on the crowd and I'm thinking 28k at least.

30k would be ideal though, will be really nice and loud in that stadium.

you don't think marshall will sell it out?

its ecu, with a division title on the line

if not now, when?

We've sold out a few times, but noon on a Friday is a tall order. Students are gone. It's just not a good slot. Also a lot of fans are still not sold after being jaded too many times with the promise of something great over the last 9 years. Word is we may also be competing with undefeated Huntington High game if the 1:30 timeslot is chosen by the opponent. It is what it is. I hope about 2,500 fans show up so it'll be a constant reminder of the Tulane game for you

We've only sold out vs WVU. Huntington will not play 1:30 Friday, it would be Saturday. So many people have to work because of Black Friday also. I hope Wheeling Park beats the crap out of Huntington since I'm a Midland student. Go Knights and Go Herd.

It would not be a sell out in Greenville either for a noon..Friday game.

Yeah, Black Friday + Students home for the holidays = lower attendance regardless of venue.

(11-24-2013 08:01 AM)chess Wrote:  

(11-24-2013 07:08 AM)ShoreBuc Wrote:  Basically this is the CUSA Championship game. It should be a good one where a turnover or FG could decide it.

Rice disagrees.

I was thinking the same thing.

(11-24-2013 09:32 AM)Fo Shizzle Wrote:  

(11-24-2013 05:38 AM)MUther Wrote:  Definitely one of our strategies should be to use our strong running attack to keep Carden off the field. The difference in QB stats for this year is that we are running the ball very well. Cato hasn't had to throw for 400 yards a game. We're fairly balanced on offense. Eating clock and keeping ECUs offense off the field will be much easier for us to do. If it becomes a shootout, Cato is more than capable of taking over with a passing game and that quickstrike hurry offense. I like having the extra dimension, but we'll see how our backs do against ECU's run defense.

Mark it down. Marshall will not win running the ball. The key will be Cato throwing and then scrambling. Marshall will be able to move the ball through the air much easier than on the ground. If Doc comes in with a ground attack plan...it will be abandoned at some point in the game.

Cato's arm and scrambling ability will be the key to Marshall winning. IMO...He is the best athlete on the field. ECU must stop Cato..or we get rolled.

We never stopped him last year yet won in a shootout. It could be same kind of shootout this year. Good to get that road confidence this week in preparation.

(11-24-2013 09:32 AM)Fo Shizzle Wrote:  

(11-24-2013 05:38 AM)MUther Wrote:  Definitely one of our strategies should be to use our strong running attack to keep Carden off the field. The difference in QB stats for this year is that we are running the ball very well. Cato hasn't had to throw for 400 yards a game. We're fairly balanced on offense. Eating clock and keeping ECUs offense off the field will be much easier for us to do. If it becomes a shootout, Cato is more than capable of taking over with a passing game and that quickstrike hurry offense. I like having the extra dimension, but we'll see how our backs do against ECU's run defense.

Mark it down. Marshall will not win running the ball. The key will be Cato throwing and then scrambling. Marshall will be able to move the ball through the air much easier than on the ground. If Doc comes in with a ground attack plan...it will be abandoned at some point in the game.

Cato's arm and scrambling ability will be the key to Marshall winning. IMO...He is the best athlete on the field. ECU must stop Cato..or we get rolled.

Her are the numbers of the Marshall offense versus the East Carolina defense:

Marshall is:
22nd nationally in rushing offense;
49th nationally in pass sacks allowed;
34th nationally in passes intercepted;
8th nationally in scoring offense; and
73rd nationally in turnovers allowed.

ECU is:
9th nationally in rushing defense;
10th nationally in sacks on defense;
26th nationally in interceptions;
32nd nationally in scoring defense; and
51st nationally in turnovers gained.

http://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fbs/current/team/24