BEEF ‘O’ BRADY’S BOWL

Defenses in pressure situation

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - While a weekend of sun and 80-degree temperatures at the beach in Florida is nice, East Carolina and Ohio haven’t lost sight of their mission in the Beef ‘O’Brady’s Bowl.

The Pirates (9-3) and Bobcats (7-5) not only are representing their respective conferences, but they are hoping to end the season on a high note when they meet today in the annual pre-Christmas game at Tropicana Field, home of major league baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays.

The teams feature pass-oriented, high-scoring offenses led by quarterbacks Shane Carden of East Carolina and Ohio’s Tyler Tettleton, which could make for an entertaining matchup.

“It’s good to have fun, but this is a business trip,” East Carolina kicker Warren Harvey said. “We’re here to win.”

A victory would get the Pirates of Conference USA to 10 victories, the second highest total in school history. Ohio, the second consecutive Mid-American Conference team to close its season in St. Petersburg, is trying to finish with at least eight victories for the fourth consecutive season.

The Bobcats, in their ninth season under former Nebraska coach Frank Solich, were invited after the American Athletic Conference was unable to fulfill its bowl commitments. Ball State made the trip a year ago, losing to Central Florida after the Big East couldn’t fill a slot in the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s.

East Carolina’s offense begins with Carden, who completed 71 percent of his passes for 3,866 yards, 32 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while also rushing for 10 touchdowns. Wide receiver Justin Hardy has 105 receptions for 1,218 yards and 8 touchdowns, while running back Vintavious Cooper is 5 yards shy of rushing for 1,000 for the second consecutive season.

Ohio figures to bring plenty of defensive pressure after it racked up 34 sacks - four shy of the school record - this season.

“Frustrating the quarterback is going to be the key,” Ohio cornerback Travis Carrie said. “We want to make sure he doesn’t feel comfortable. We do not want to allow him to sit back in the pocket. If you allow him to sit back in the pocket, he will pick you apart.”

Ohio will counter with Tettleton, the Bobcats’ career passing leader with 8,897 yards. He has thrown for 2,623 yards, 20 touchdowns and 9 interceptions this year.

At a glance LINE East Carolina by 14.

SERIES RECORD East Carolina leads 2-0 KEY MATCHUP East Carolina quarterback Shane Carden, who has completed 71 percent of his passes for 3,866 yards, 32 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while also scoring 10 TDs rushing, against the Ohio secondary. Cornerback Travis Carrie and safety Xavier Hughes each has four interceptions for the Bobcats.

PLAYERS TO WATCH East Carolina: Wide receiver Justin Hardy leads the Pirates with 105 receptions for 1,218 yards and 8 TDs. Running back Vintavious Cooper needs 5 yards rushing to reach 1,000 for the second consecutive years. He also has scored 12 TDs, 11 on the ground. Ohio: Quarterback Tyler Tettleton has thrown for 2,623 yards, 20 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. He owns 21 school records and is 103 yards shy of becoming Bobcats’ first 9,000-yard career passer. Running back Beau Blankenship has rushed for 844 yards and five TDs.

NOTEWORTHY East Carolina is making its 19th bowl appearance, its third in four seasons under Coach Ruffin McNeill. … Six of Ohio’s eight bowl appearances have come under Coach Frank Solich, who took over the Bobcats in 2005. … The Pirates and Bobcats have met twice before, with East Carolina winning 55-45 at home in 1996 and 21-14 on the road in 1998. … Ohio beat two Conference USA teams during the regular season, defeating North Texas 27-21 and Marshall 34-31.

… East Carolina lost to the only common opponent the teams faced, falling 59-28 at Marshall in its regular season finale.

  • The Associated Press

Sports, Pages 20 on 12/23/2013

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