ECU looking to keep Rice winless

With half the season in the books, ECU looks forward to a return to Greenville as they play host to Conference USA West Division opponent, Rice University.

The 2009 ECU Homecoming marks the third overall meeting between the two teams, with each team defending its home turf in the previous contests.

The Pirates (3-3, 2-1 C-USA) enter the competition following a disappointing 28-21 loss to Southern Methodist University. The defeat marks ECU's first conference loss this season and brings the team to an even-keel of .500.

"We're at 3-3 with one loss in the conference, which is exactly where we were a year ago," ECU head coach Skip Holtz said. "We have to rally things together and pull the team back together."

At the midway point of last season, the Pirates held the same record as they do now. Pirate fans can only hope for a streak of déjà vu as the 2008 ECU squad went 6-2 in the second half of the season, claiming its first C-USA championship and attending its third consecutive bowl game.

For the Owls (0-6, 0-2), it has been a trying season as they have yet to come out on top in a single game this season.

"The biggest thing that I'm seeing with this Rice team is that it's improving," Holtz said. "They're getting better each and every week, even though the statistics might not show it."

Rice possesses a handful of talent at the wideout position, but costly turnovers and instability under center has hindered the Owls' offense from taking off.

The Owls' offense has cycled through three different quarterbacks this season but has decided to go with sophomore Alabama transfer Nick Fanuzzi.

Rice will look to Fanuzzi to stake out their first victory on Saturday. He is a capable passer and threw for 242 yards with two touchdowns against Navy last week.

Fanuzzi will be throwing to a solid cast of receivers in Toren Dixon and Patrick Randolph. The Pirate defense will also have to look out for 6'6" tight end Taylor Wardlow, who has tallied 237 receiving yards this season.

"His (Wardlow) role is constantly increasing as his catches are increasing from week to week," Holtz said. "They're treating him more and more like Marshall's Cody Slate." Slate picked up 88 yards on nine catches against the Pirates this season.

On offense, the Pirates will look to recuperate from sickness, travel and midterms to put together a strong effort at home.

Last week, power running back Brandon Jackson failed to make the trip to Dallas due to the severity of his sickness.

Others affected by the flu did make the trip, including Patrick Pinkney, who played through the illness, completing 20 of 34 passes for 181 yards with one interception.

"The flu symptoms are gone and the fever is gone," Pinkney said. "That's the positive."

Jackson is expected to be listed in the depth chart on Saturday to reunite with Dominique Lindsay, which will give the Pirates a healthy rushing attack.

Against SMU, Lindsay set a new career high as he ran for 144 yards on 24 carries.

The only missing piece to the running game will be the injured Jonathan Williams, who has received limited assignments this season. Williams injured his leg against SMU last week as the lead blocker for Giavanni Ruffin.

ECU will most likely sample the Wildcat formation against Rice as Dwayne Harris scored his third rushing touchdown of the season against the Mustangs on a direct snap scamper.

The sparing use of the formation has allowed the Pirates limited success.

With the ECU running game intact for the most part, the Pirates have the ability to bring an active running game if the pass proves insufficient.

Defensively for Rice they bring two talented defensive ends, Cheta Ozougwu and Scott Solomon up front. Solomon has stormed the backfield to earn four sacks on the season.

The Pirates will face a respectable pass defense led by the Owls, two big and physical safeties in Andrew Sendejo and Travis Bradshaw.

"They have laid some big hits this year," Holtz said. "They're a very physical group in the back end."

The ECU defense will look to contain the Rice offense and to continue to improve on allowing less offensive production. The Pirate defensive squad allowed 294 offensive yards against SMU including a 96-yard pass play.

Despite this improvement, the ECU secondary will need to improve against its fatal flaw -- the deep ball.

Holtz commented in Monday's press conference that the secondary might include some fresh faces this week.

"There are some guys like Leonard Paulk and Rahkeem Morgan who deserve the opportunity to play," Holtz said. "They have practiced just as hard."

For Rice, the most solid unit seems to be special teams. They provide a strong kicking game that includes kickoff specialist Brandon Yelvich, placekicker Clark Fangmeier and punter Kyle Martens.

Fangmeier has kicked 98 consecutive PAT's while Martens leads C-USA with a 45-yard punter average.

As for the ECU special teams unit, the Mustangs blocked two field goals last week, one of which was returned for a touchdown and the Pirates also fumbled on a kickoff return.

Aside from the specifics, the ECU squad is stressing that despite the Owl's winless streak, they will be treated like any other opponent.

"You can never overlook anybody," ECU defensive back Van Eskridge said. "If we come out here lackadaisical and think we're going to win, then Rice will leave here 1-6 and we'll leave 3-4."

Respecting an opponent is wise, but the Pirates must capitalize against a flailing Rice squad if they hope to continue the chase for back-to-back C-USA championships.

This writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinian.com.