College Football 25 🏈 : New Mexico Lobos at East Carolina Pirates

welcome to dowy fckin Stadium home to the East Carolina Pirates where the purple has engulfed this place as they are ready for a showdown maybe you need a little caffeine or maybe the the sheer energy of this matchup will keep you wide awake as we know anything can happen when you kick off after dark as we'll see a squad from the Mountain West the New Mexico Lobos taking on a team from the AAC the East Carolina pirates for EA Sports college football I'm Reese Davis joined here at M as always by David Pollock and Jesse Palmer guys let's tee this one up and the Pirates will put toe weather to crank us up and it'll be a Touchback of ball will come out to the 25 yd line so New Mexico's offense will have the first possession of the game when this guy comes onto the field David he seems to bring the it factor with him so much fun as a play caller to have a guy you could depend on you trust you know Palmer you're going to get the best out of this young man he's also one of those guys David who just elevates everybody else around him right all 10 guys in that huddle offensively just seem to play better knowing they've got confidence in this guy when you go on the road man oh man you love hearing the crowd but more importantly you love shutting the crowd up there's no better feeling and coming out getting that juice going getting that confidence going and getting that running game going right at him and gash him right out the gates he stopped at the 48 a pick up of 10 on the play they'll line up right at the 48 yd line on First and 10 trying to get to him and boy was that pressure in his face immediately down he goes the playaction pass success has a lot to do with selling that fake you could tell defense was not buying it got in the back field got the big blood now the offense has to overcome the negative play after the defense comes up with a [Applause] sack the give to the tail back continuing to turn and move it forward and they're closing in on Midfield it's down at the 48 they line up and it is a long way to the sticks from here on Third and long try to convert through the air got his man in the middle and they gave him no chance to get loose and they force a fourth down and the Lobos will try to pin them back with the punt first punt of the day and he'd love to lock him up close to their goal [Applause] line boy they had a chance to track that thing down but it bounces into the end zone for a Touchback so East Carolina offense will get the ball for the first time here are our impact players for this game and it goes beyond executing an assignment to make it impact in the game yeah obviously we were talking to both coaching staffs this week and we asked them who needs to step up and play well they immediately pointed to these guys right here they are the key for their respective teams yeah and they don't always show up in the Box Score but these are the guys of the leaders these are the guys getting everybody organized they have to play well for their team to succeed that has got to be demoralizing if you're on defense because they just ran the ball right up the middle down your throats and they gashed you the analytics nerds will tell you that a four- ydd pickup on first down is a successful play Let's see what they have on First and 10 they'll give it to him again at the 45 on his way they get him down at the 49 but not before he picks up 15 you know as a defense you can have the right call and the right guy in the right spot but that guy's just too good and how about the running back on that play just making it happen breaking off the huge game it's tough to get these guys on the ground coaches always harp about staying ahead of the chains and when you can run with that type of efficiency on first down man you are doing just that good spot after that seven yd pickup on first down it's second and three now he's looking to throw it right down the middle got his man ripping through the defense and getting it all the way down to the 24 yd line big plays in the passing game deep down the field that take time to develop the big hog mollies up front got to protect their quarterback great job protecting him on that play the Pirates have it with a first and 10 looking for room it's Harris tackle is made right at the 20 yd line after a pick up of four after the productive first down play it's second and six they'll run it out of the shotgun they make the stop after a pick up of three balls at the 18 and the Pirates have pushed it inside the 20 Garcia wants to throw into the end zone and that ball was In Harm's Way and he is lucky to get that one back now on fourth down they'll try to come away with three the holder will spot it about 35 yds out absolutely perfect and with that they break the seal on the scoring it's 3 nothing well this team knew coming into tonight's game they had to get momentum early playing at home they want to get the crowd into it so you get a beautiful drive here to start this thing you would have liked to cap it off with a touchdown but listen set yourself up for a field goal you knock it through the uprights you've got the lead everything right now looking good so after the M field goal they'll kick it away and rely on their defense from inside the 15 here comes the return he was looking for more Running Room but none to be found as he stopped at the 23 let's see what the lios offense has dialed up this time David the punter got some work last time they'd like to keep him on the sidelines in this drive yeah it's not something you want to say very often you don't want the punter out there this offense needs to get back lathered up and get a little bit more of a rhythm best way to do that identify where your best play players are and just get them the football give these guys some touches to Kickstart this offense he's knocked down in the back field he'll lose a couple that linebacker was a heat seeking missile and the heat that he sought was the ball carry great job great field linebackers are making all and the heat will get home and the quarterback goes down at the 17 and it's such an advantage for this defense to have an outside linebacker like that that can Rush the a passer because they can set the edge they can get off the ball and they're just way too fast for tight ends or for offensive tackles to get out and block them on the return it's Murphy that Nifty return sets up the offense and negates some of the yardage on the punt first down here for the [Applause] offense he's going to pass hit hard just as he released it on first down and just couldn't get it to the receiver really good tough this by the QB to hang in there take a big shot but I will not give him credit for throwing in a double coverage so nice job hanging in there being tough make a better decision do not throw in the double coverage he got lucky that was an interception both teams wanted to establish the run and they have done exactly that in the first quarter New Mexico Europe heading in the opposite directions now as we Crank It Up in the second they'll break the seal on this quarter here on first down they're getting this guy lathered up productive four yd gain there on the ground as he gets it down to the 31 and runs like that are like body blows in a boxing match four five sixy gains early turn into 20 30 40 ydd gains later they really wear down defenses and they test their physicality slam to the ground but not before he gets the first down and I don't care if I get it by two by 20 by 30 by 40 I I just I just want to get the first down understanding the situation understanding where the sticks are doesn't have to be sexy but I got to make sure I get to that stick get to the first down line sometimes as an offense you like running plays and you like running it right into the teeth of the blitz that's what happened right there everybody up front got a hat on a hat and they were able to crease that defense Garcia to pass that's it Fly it's incomplete all most intercepted In The End Zone it'll be third down trying to pick up a first [Music] down on Third and short the power run here they'll finally get it stopped at the one yd line what a run there and how about this offense deciding to run the football be physical find a hole get downhill Palmer and get the first down yeah and it helps too when you've got a running back like this guy he just knows how to fall forward and get those hidden yards big weapon in this offense try to barge their way in he's knocked down in the back field he'll lose a couple this defense obviously knows they've got got to be able to stop the run if they're going to win this football game and you wonder if they've been able to make some tweaks and adjustments to try and take this running back away trying to punch it in he pushes it forward all the way to the 2yd line and with the stuff there Jesse on second down this little third to midrange you got two downs what are you thinking here maybe getting your quarterback out on the perimeter and giving him a run pass option see if you can get the defense in a body man if I'm quarterback right now after this long of a drive down this close I'm going for a touchdown hereby and I get that but I've worn this defense out man I'm going to go for the touchdown right here and if I miss they got to go the whole length of the field to score a touchdowns offense calls a timeout here critically important to make sure they have the right play called and everyone on the same page here pushes toward the goal line he is denied stopped just short of the goal line pushed his way to the one and could go no further and they'll turn it over on Downs they'll ride the running back and leave it with him fights AC crease at the 20 and he was loose and in the open field and on his way a tremendous pick up on that one off the play fake on first down throws to the wide out and that incomplete pass caused by the big hit on first down second down coming after they couldn't connect it's second and 10 it's a draw and how about that interior defense stuffing the run for nothing somebody needs to make a play here it's third and long from the 26 to the air it's dampier and a missed opportunity on third down as the defense not back it free and fourth down is coming up globals decide to pun it [Applause] away he gets a block little pressure on the coverage team there and they'll stop him at the 47 yd lineat East Carolina sending the offense back to work these last couple of drives Jesse have been about the defense making clutch stand I think for this offense they can stay aggressive knowing their defense is going to bail them out time and time again here yeah and especially when you go for those fourth down situations you do that a lot of times because you know your defense can make stands make stops they did on that last possession for you can't get him to the ground and he's almost most to that first down marker there saying he's a little bit short they might want to bring out the sticks and measure but it looks as if he'll be just short of the first down [Applause] offense breaks the Huddle it's third down they'll try to pick it up on the ground nice job to pick up the first down and they'll spotted at the 42 the Pirates come to the line with a fresh set of downs off play action on first down he put some heat on that one down the middle and he'll take it in and house it touchdown Pirates quarterback's abilities to read the field is huge and also the anticipation the time to be able to throw the football Jesse and hit a guy in stride so he can get run after the catch and get in the end zone that was a nice job by the quarterback yeah it's critical David listen a lot of times touchdown passes aren't thrown into the end zone you got to read the coverage hit the open guy and let him do the rest [Applause] lining up to tack one more onto that lead and the extra point will tack another one onto this lead quick work on that scoring drive just four plays and the finisher coming on that 42 yd touchdown toss kickoff team is on the field they'll try to drive this one deep [Applause] and they desperately wanted to attempt a return but decided not to instead they'll take the Touchback let's see what the Loos offense has in store getting late here in the first half they'll have a chance to make this a one possession game and the offensive play caller here has to really be dialed in it's important down two possessions Dave that they're able to score some points you got to call your best stuff in this two-minute situation and and such a good opportunity to C it to a onore game create that momentum get some good juices going for the second half cuz obviously you know you built yourself a little bit of a deficit you need some good things to happen and it needs to happen on this possession looking for space it's Henry theyy bring him down and he's going to lose a yard on that one and the L BOS will punt it away on fourth [Applause] down running it back it's Murphy he's brought down but a really solid effort to pick up every bit of yardage he could on the punt return he's Carolina has it back and the purple pirate offense will go to work Jesse a very productive Drive last time wound up with a touchdown yeah mixing and matching play calling really well nice balance on that just flying through the air like a superhero to make the grab man that's a tough play to make when you're that far down the field and you you're trying to control control your body and run as you're laying out that's a really great effort really good concentration and that is how you make your quarterback look really good they've got it down to the 32 first and 10 coming Garcia wants to throw shoots it to the left he got a hand in there knocks it away incomplete you see these windows they're getting smaller and smaller to throw into really nice job by the defense that time getting a hand in there knocking that ball away looking to pass on second down and he bats it away it falls incomplete DB does an outstanding job here on the Deep pass locating the football no Pi able to swat it away pass incomplete fires to the wide out got it in the middle it's right touchdown purple Pirates Le the grab and finish the deal in the go number one one of the reasons this offense is so exciting to watch they've got guys that are dangerous after the catch if this quarterback gets through his progression David he hits you in stride these guys will take it to the house man it's your job to do the rest right you hit me in stride where I don't have to stop running I don't have to break down it makes it so easy the connection between quarterback wide receiver you can tell this is a good one and that's why they got six on that play he'll try to add another to their lead and with the extra point they now have a thre possession lead at 17 quick work on that scoring drive just four plays and they cap it off with a 32 yd touchdown pass just into the end zone and he'll bring it out not nearly as much as he had hoped when he brought it out of the end zone he'll be stopped at the 15 here comes the offense on first [Music] down leaves it with the running back just wanted to find a little space to run and EES out some to get it up to the 21 clock winding toward zero they'll get one more snap off they'll keep it on the ground he'll be brought down and that's the final play of the half at the end of the second quarter that means it's time to join Kevin in our halftime update guys one of the best atmospheres in football and we've got a fun one from Greenville and we have to start this halftime breakdown by addressing the play of this Elite wide receiver this is clearly a young man who once he's finished playing on Saturdays he's going to be playing on Sundays the kid has different gears he has a knack for finding gaps in the defense and I can't remember a college player with that kind of catch radius and with that let's send it back to the fellow is at dowy fitland Stadium thanks for that breakdown Kevin globals will kick it away to crank up the second half and he takes this from inside the five not a lot of space to be found good hle by the coverage team and they stop him at the 21 East Carolina sending the offense back to work it's working why change it and that running game was working in the first half I imagine we'll see a lot more of it here in the third quarter and you just know the offensive line was telling their coordinator put this on us let us continue to go out there push these guys around we can put this game on our back and end this thing by running the ball and this is a manhood question for this defense like as a defensive lineman and you're pounding the rock pounding the rock like I got to physically rise to this chall this defense has to play more inspired and More Physical in the second half a third and long coming up here unloads to the wide out couldn't quite haul it in they almost had their first pick here late in the game and the Pirates will send out the punt unit finally sending out a punter in this one got to make sure they earned their letter he'll settle for some pretty good field position and make the fair catch at around the 35 they'll put it in play from the 36 with the first play of the drive they'll run it from the gun really nice sto there from this senior leader didn't get much on first down it's second and nine second back to throw it's Danier got his man on the outside and a good job in coverage there as they stop it after just a few and listen I know that wasn't a huge gain it was positive but I like doing more of that in today's college football I'm just going to try to give my Playmakers a chance chance to do damage in space he tosses one high and deep down the left side and that one's incomplete they were just trying to move the chains they were trying to move the scoreboard instead it's fourth down and the Lobos will punt this one away they may have to pay him overtime he's punting for the fifth time today he'll bring it back it's Murphy they're able to put a stop to that return right at the 30 yd line East Carolina has it back in the purple pirate offense will go to work here's another opportunity Jesse to stretch out this lead after punting last time I think it goes back to your Playmakers reys I think it's finding the guys that have been working for you earlier on in this game and getting them the football and there's obviously no need to panic I mean think about it you got the lead you got the football you got to be smart with the football make your plays put a good drive together here holds it in he will step out of bounds but not before the mid pick up and a first down for this off defense fresh set of downs after the completion he fires a bullet to the right pass on the way it's picked off and they'll drag him down after a good return on the interception QB never saw the defender he's staring his receiver down telegraphing his throw and the DB jumped all over that [Applause] now New Mexico will go back to work on offense last time David it was one two three kick the last drive that three and out sometimes that puts your defense in a bad spot and you got to get a drive together here so you don't wear the defense out I just think dve too predict that last Drive they got to do something here to get this defense on their heels a lot of times offenses will do the FIB formation into the boundary try to take advantage of you necessarily spreading out sending more resources to the field try to take advantage offense gave it a world but the defense they did not move they did their assignments got the tfl well it's a nice job by the quarterback getting the ball out of his hands quickly on that RPO he saw something he liked just not on the same page with his receiver third down and this offense is already in a world of trouble they could really use the conversion he hurls one deep down the left side and they can't hook up on the big play and that brings up a fourth down Global will bring the punt team onto the field and these guys have been busy sixth punt of the [Applause] day and they'll get him down after the return at the 27 yd line East Carolina sending the offense back to work after that last pick David they really need to take care of the ball this time no doubt and Palmer I want to know what Spurrier said to you on the sideline after a pick do that again and you'll be right here beside me for the rest of the game you got to go out you got to call your plays and I hope this coaching staff isn't going to be afraid to throw at this drive starting a drive like that really builds confidence first down from the 45 from the gun the running back to hit the hole it's the emmo of this offense and they really put a lot on the offensive line to go out and really try and establish their dominance and their assertiveness and they've done a good job of that early in this game running the football leaves it with the back and they're able to shove him to the turf as they stop him for a short game will they keep it on the ground again here on third down they'll try to run for it nice job to pick up the first down and they'll spot it at the 42 you start day one of trading Camp run your base runs you need a few yards you run these plays you need a first down you run these plays you rep them over and over and over again not sexy they're not pretty but in the end they're effective and they get you that new set of downs when you need and that throw was a bullet by the quarterback on that curl route in zone coverage and how about the anticipation he gets rid of this pass before his receiver is even turned around I love it tackle is made but not until he gets the first down it's hard to stop right it really is that's why you run the football consistently you got a big offensive line a big physical unit you run the football like this man unleashes one deep and they won't be able to connect down field looking for a big time play and that is a huge missed opportunity for the quarterback you've got your guy wide open in the end zone you're not under pressure pressure you just got to hit him that ball got away that's one he'd like touchdown East Carolina and The Stomping has commenced this dude is just slicing and dicing this defense into little tiny pieces carving him up completely comfortable knows exactly what he's getting had so much success today got to find a way to make these quarterbacks feel more uncomfort [Music] ready to try the point after for the extra point and with the extra point they pushed the lead out a little further so it's a 73 yd touchdown drive and they finish things up with a dart from 24 yds [Applause] out and they thought about a return Then thought better of it they'll bring it out to the 25 with will get another look at this New Mexico offense they face a pretty tall mountain here Jesse down 24 but if they're going to climb it this is a good time to start sense of urgency has got to be big right here you just get the feeling at this point of the game David they've got to score on this drive obviously their defense needs to get stops but at this point offensively they've got to execute much better they they got to be super aggressive down 24 you're going to need three touch Downs three two-point conversions everything to kind of go your way so fast and throw in the football he stopped just a chain link or two away from the first down and sets them up beautifully here what a day it's been on the ground for these two guys and they just seem to get stronger as the game goes along as we take a look at the numbers one more quarter to play and it might be unlikely but he it's college football comebacks happen offense gets set for second down scanning the field it's Danier oh what a grab by the defense [Applause] man as a defensive lineman late in the game man when you know it's pass you're pinning your ears back trying to get to the quarterback and DBS are trying to do this pad them stats get the int nice job by this team e Carolina has it back in the purple pirate offense will go to work running back searching for a hole man that's the advantage of having a good coaching staff to teach these players in this type of situation with the lead late in the game you want to stay in the field of play and keep the clock tick they do that after that nice run out of the gun the running back has it that's what you expect from a senior don't give them any extra yards great tackle there will they keep it on the ground again here on third down they'll try to run for it and boy is he close to that first down maybe just a couple of inches short and the O will stay out there and go for for it on fourth in inches try to get it on the ground brought to the ground but not before getting it up for the first down a first down for the offense time out e [Applause] Carolina quarterback stands alone all wide reer [Applause] receivers they'll start this drive with a pass going to let it fly excellent coverage and good use of the hands to knock it away I'm a little bit surprised they're still throwing the football here this late in the game with this kind of lead they're on first down taking a shot Falls incomplete but obviously they're still seeing matchups that they want to take advantage of in the back end of this defense so they're letting it Fly got room at the 35 and it is a chunk play a huge gain on that one before the defense brings it to an end and obviously this offense has had their way getting the huge lead and now when you know it's a running situation later in the ball games you're still getting pounded this defense has to step up at some point and be a lot more physical D coordinators down the road that have to play this offense man they're going to have nightmares because this unit has so much speed and so much skill at running back receiver tight end a quarterback making good decisions it is so tough trying to stop them and prevent explosive plays this guy's been special today coming into this one they thought they had an opportunity really to get him going running the football and he has delivered you've seen the speed the vision his ability to break tackles well over a 100 rushing yards in this game and that's why they have a nice lead here late the Pirates trying to get a touchdown on first and goal fires into the end zone touchdown ECU and the beat down has ensued and this offense continuing to put up points this game's Out Of Reach you know you're going to win but still throwing the football still finding that connection I imagine there'll be some salty handshakes at the end of this [Music] game Ling up to attack one more onto that lead the kick is up and good and put one more on the lead quick work on that scoring drive just four plays and they finish it up with a three yd scoring [Applause] toss looking for an alley from inside his own 10 good job by the coverage unit to put a stop to that return let's see what the Loos offense has dialed up this time boy they hope this next Drive is more productive after throwing a pick last time Jesse Yeah and the coaches did a good job on the sideline there just talking to the Young quarterback and making sure he's able to turn the page calm him down to go out and refocus this drive David yeah and some people do that better than others but you got to show some trust in him maybe get the ground game going help around him a little bit with the system catch in the middle it's suiv he's brought down quickly minimal gain there still a bit short of the first down so they're facing in third and short from the 25 from the gun wants to pass oh he just flat dropped it he had the ball and didn't look it all the way in and it'll be fourth [Music] down he'll try to throw and pick up the first down makes a catch past the sticks a quick tackle made but he's got plenty for the first down and the Lobos come to the line with a new set of downs for the off they're going to throw it again a little screen to the running back didn't have much room to run and not a whole lot of help short game there and still plenty of ground to cover for the first down second down coming up back to pass it's Danier throws to the wide out missed his receiver there it's incomplete they couldn't make the connection on second down now a third and seven to keep the drive alive he's looking to pass get it out on the screen and he's going to be just short of the first down it's going to bring up a decision for this coach down in the fourth quarter it's too late for empty possessions they'll go for it on fourth down he'll try to throw and pick up the first down finds his man and they convert turns out to be an easy conversion for this offense as they move the chains on fourth down globals are on the move to the air on first down receiver wasn't ready for the throw incomplete in and it's just been that kind of day for this quarterback in this offense guys they have never been able to get into a rhythm throwing the football timing's been off accuracy hasn't been great we've seen some drops just not in sync and that's why they find themselves trailing by a lot right here late in the game we've reached the two-minute warning and we see miracles in college football all of the time and they could use one here coming after him the throw nice defensive play to get a hand in there and knock it away after the incompletion Here Comes second and 10 from the 32 he's looking to throw pocket starts to collapse just goes right through the Wicket and brings up third down man he will be thinking about that one if they can convert here that type of play can really give you a shot of momentum on third down he'll try to pick it up through the air oh man another incompletion that's three in a row now on fourth down they'll send out the field goal unit and very important not only to generate power but to find his Mark a 49 yd try from the left it's good he could have hit a a string right in the middle of the uprights there and you just sort of wonder if that's some kind of moral Victory from the head coach we not going to get shut out in front of all these eyeballs we're just going to put three points up on the board as a player I used to absolutely hate that if I was on the losing team because you're just trying to save face I want to go down and try and score a touchdown I know that the chances aren't great but let me go out there and so they were able to put up a three spot on that last drive and now the kickoff team out there is prepared to put boot to leather from inside the 10 here he comes just never had a chance to shake loose and he'll be brought down at the 24 East Carolina sending the offense back to work boy they have delighted these home fans here by putting this game in a hammerlock David yeah this crowd's been jacked up they've been excited now they get to breathe a little bit Palmer nice lead this offense needs to go out and protected yeah they've been the more physical Team all game long so let's just run the ball let's just ice this football game take the W into the L and I'm a fan of this man run the football eat the clock we got the lead this offense has put together a nice day man like just balance Rhythm and the double coverage and they made him pay it's intercepted and he's wrapped up after a solid return on the pick obviously this game hasn't gone the way they would have liked but coaches are always looking for positive moments and things that you can build on how about that young man man going out getting an interception yeah they're being blown out they're probably not going to win this football game but that is the type of play that as a coaching staff you can build on for next week's game trying to start the drive with a pass find his big tight end and defensively this is exactly what you want right you got the big lead so you can play Big Zone coverages just keep the ball in front of you keep your eye on the quarterback rally to the football gang tackle you're going to win this game and this is just one of those days man where everything has gone wrong right like they just haven't been in a rhythm they haven't they haven't got it going and never built the momentum this is this is one of those days you learn from you try to grow from a lot of things that we're going to show in the film room that people are going to like but hopefully you can learn from it and do better next time this is hardly a surprise after converting their first two fourth down attempts still try it again this one's complete and the defense makes the immediate tackle but he has enough for the first down and the Lobos come to the line with a fresh set of downs looking for a man it's Danier oh he had him right down