After a long wait, the time for the playoffs between East Carolina and Boston College in the Military Bowl has arrived. The Pirate (7-5) and Eagles (6-6) meet on Monday in Annapolis, Md., At Navy-Marine Corps Stadium at 2:30 p.m. AND on ESPN. If ECU is to cap off its season with an eighth win and its first bowl win since 2013, here is what it will need to accomplish.
The Eagles believe their passing game will be on a different level on Monday with quarterback Phil Jurkovec closer to full health after some time as he continues to recover from a hand injury that cost him half of the season. But no matter how healthy Jurkovec is, BC is going to rely on his racing game. Pat Garwo ensures a stable and reliable presence as a 1,000-yard rusher, and Jurkoevic is also able to move chains over designed runways and scrambles. Boston College loves to prepare for the pass with the running game and the action game. If ECU has to get more defenders into the race than he wants, that will open up the possibility for Jurkovec to make big plays with his arm in a one-on-one blanket with talented receivers. If the Pirates can contain the rush by not having to commit too much to playing so many guys in the box, then the defense should have a solid chance to come off the field.
Boston College has strong defense overall, but it has been sensitive to big play in the running game, and there aren’t many more big play threats on the field than Mitchell, the running back. sophomore has elite speed, and if he breaks the first line of defense against a defense that likes to play similar men’s cover to Boston College, it can lead to a home run pretty quickly. Mitchell performed very well the last time he was in Navy territory, and he will be looking to add to his already impressive 2021 pound on Monday with a big play to help the offense in what could be a low scoring game. .
The last time ECU was in Annapolis it was a real mix in the special teams stage. Owen Daffer kicked a winning 54-yard field goal but it helped cover a grueling kickoff return for a fourth-quarter touchdown that almost turned out to be disastrous. ECU also struggled in the regular season finale against Cincinnati, allowing for both a blocked kick and a blocked punt. These issues need to be addressed against a really strong Boston College Special Teams unit. And in a game that could be on the more defensive side, and in cold weather, field position and regular play in special teams will be essential and could ultimately make the difference in ball play.
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