This game promised us offense and so far it has delivered. Cincinnati gained 393 total yards and ECU racked up 333 of its own for a whopping 726 combined yards of offense, and 51 total points have been scored as the Bearcats lead the Pirates 31 to 20 at the half.
Tommy Tuberville said Gunner Kiel has looked as close to 100 percent as ever leading up to this game, and based on the results I’d say he wasn’t kidding. Kiel has lit up ECU’s defense so far, aided by some poor tackling and blown coverages, going 18 of 23 for 290 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. The two picks were pretty poor decisions by Kiel, and if those mistakes hadn’t been made to essentially gift ECU ten points who knows what the score would have been.
Kiel can certainly thank his offensive line for keeping him clean so far, as he’s been able to stay in the pocket and find open receivers almost every time he has dropped back. The running game has also been a plus for the ‘Cats so far as they’ve gained 103 yards on the ground and averaged 9.4 per attempt.
As for ECU, the story has been settling for field goals deep in Cincinnati territory. The Pirates first two trips into the red zone resulted in field goals of 31 and 23 yards from kicker Warren Harvey. Quarterback Shane Carden has put up some numbers going 20 of 35 for 255, but he’s missed on a couple big play opportunities and has been hurried several times and sacked twice.
The positive for ECU in the first half was definitely senior wide receiver Justin Hardy, who has racked up 113 yards on nine catches and scored on an option counter from seven yards out when he received the pitch from Carden and cruised to the end zone. Hardy is ten receptions away from breaking Ryan Broyles’ NCAA record for career receptions (349).
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