ECU looks to bounce back in rematch of 2008 C-USA championship game

ECU is set to face off for a third straight week on ESPN, this time Sunday night against Tulsa.

In a crucial East-West Conference USA showdown, the Pirates return to Tulsa, Okla., where they snatched the C-USA championship from the Golden Hurricane in a 27-24 victory last season.

Both teams come into this week's matchup with the lingering taste of defeat.

ECU (5-4, 4-1 C-USA) lost a low-scoring 16-3 flag battle to No. 22 Virginia Tech on Thursday, while Tulsa had a surefire victory ripped from their grasp against No. 13 Houston.

The Cougars regained an onside kick and converted a 51-yard field goal to slide past the Golden Hurricane 46-45 in the heartbreaking defeat.

In their last meeting, the Pirates' defense ravaged the favored Tulsa squad for seven turnovers, five of which were interceptions.

ECU's win over Tulsa was the Golden Hurricane's second consecutive loss in the C-USA championship tilt.

Heading into this week, the Pirates will look to shake off their loss to the Hokies and get back to work in defending their conference title.

"We can't let that game (against VT) beat us twice," ECU quarterback Patrick Pinkney said. "We have a job to get done and that's to win this conference."

Tulsa (4-5, 2-3 C-USA), who is reeling from four consecutive losses, needs a victory to right its ship and become closer to bowl eligibility.

Last year's home field defeat for the Golden Hurricane adds an extra incentive for Tulsa to jostle ECU from its strong C-USA record.

On offense, the Pirates will be looking to regroup mentally and make some adjustments in the passing game due to the three-point showing in last week's throwdown with Virginia Tech.

ECU will need to continue to execute a solid run game, but hopes to balance the run with a hopefully improved passing game.

The Pirates will need to harness the ability to make the big pass play under pressure and utilize playmaker Dwayne Harris.

"The turnovers and the lack of big plays in the passing game were very evident," ECU head coach Skip Holtz said. "The passing game was inconsistent."

Another aspect thrown into the mix for ECU as they head to Tulsa is the numerous injuries the Pirates suffered against the Hokies.

ECU will take on the Golden Hurricane without the presence of former quarterback and newly converted tight end Rob Kass.

Kass suffered a season and likely career-ending knee injury on Thursday.

Without Kass in the lineup, the Pirates loose a hybrid player who was capable of blocking, being a reliable target to throw to and also rushing the ball if need be.

"It's unfortunate when it happens to anybody, but especially a senior and you see his career cut short," Holtz said. "A guy like Kass has such an unselfish attitude and worked so hard doing many good things for us."

Other injuries to the ECU offense include running back Giavanni Ruffin and receiver Jamar Bryant; both players are listed as questionable for the Sunday's game.

Overcoming injuries and executing a balanced attack will be important for the Pirates as they compete with another offense capable of putting up big numbers on the ground and in the air.

The Tulsa offense has seen both its ups and downs this season but the main thing they possess is the ability to score.

"They (Tulsa) have the ability to put points up on the board and they can do it in a hurry," ECU free safety Van Eskridge said. "They can hit you from all angles."

The Golden Hurricane's offensive squad is set to roll with sophomore quarterback and Texas transfer G.J. Kinne.

Last week against Houston, Kinne put on a clinic as he passed for 334 yards and rushed for 127, throwing three touchdown passes and running one himself.

"Kinne is a very talented player who is their second-leading rusher." Holtz said. "He has a very strong arm and is really becoming a weapon for them."

Besides a strong presence under center, Tulsa possesses a strong receiver core in Damaris Johnson and Slick Shelley, both of whom average at least 18 yards per catch.

Johnson, the team leader in all-purpose yards, averaging 209 per game, is the Golden Hurricane's most versatile playmaker. He performs on both the punt and kick returns as well as rushing and receiving on offense.

"He's their 'skat-back' who they are going to try and get the ball to in as many different ways as possible." Holtz said about Johnson "He's their version of Dwayne Harris."

For the ECU defense, the Hokies signal caller Tyrod Taylor was a perfect prerequisite for the freewheeling offensive style of Tulsa.

The Pirates held Virginia Tech's solid offense to only 16 points.

ECU's defensive squad also suffered casualties during the battle with the Hokies.

Junior defensive back Dekota Marshall will be out for the rest of the season due to a leg injury that occurred on the punt return against Virginia Tech.

Backup defensive end Josh Smith left last week's game with a shoulder injury and is uncertain to perform this week.

The Pirates are no stranger to injuries and a have exercised the depth of their roster before, but Coach Holtz expressed the difference between last season's injuries compared to now.

"This year's injuries seem to be hitting mostly the back-ups." Holtz said. "We've talked a little bit about how the next guy has to step up and step in."

Defensively, the Golden Hurricane will break a different look for the ECU offense. Tulsa's smaller front four relies on speed and confusion to attack an offense.

The Golden Hurricane will provide the Pirates with a number of different looks and scheme to try to catch them off guard.

"They create confusing looks and disruption," Holtz said. "They do a lot more moving, stunting, blitzing and twisting within their scheme."

The strength of Tulsa's defense is in its backfield; DeAundre Brown and James Lockett provide a strong secondary presence, while linebacker Mike Bryan holds down the middle of the field for the Golden Hurricane.

Brown and Bryan led the team with over 70 tackles apiece.

Another strong performer Tulsa possesses is defensive back John Destin who has snagged four interceptions so far this season.

Just as the 2008 C-USA championship played out, it looks to be Tulsa's strong offense versus ECU's strong defense, but both teams will look to put together a complete game.

A win over the Golden Hurricane would qualify the Pirates for bowl eligibility as well as solidify their strangle hold on C-USA's East Division.

"It's definitely exciting to get back into the conference race," Eskridge said. "We going to come out for these next three games and try to put ourselves into the conference championship."

Kickoff at H.A. Chapman Stadium in Tulsa, Okla., is set for Sunday at 8:15 p.m. and will be televised nationally on ESPN.

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