GREENVILLE, N.C. (AP) - Navy couldn't stop scoring in its last trip to East Carolina because the Pirates couldn't stop the Midshipmen from running.

So naturally, the priority is clear for coach Ruffin McNeill's team: slow their productive ground game.

The Pirates will become bowl eligible for the sixth time since 2006 on Saturday if they defeat a Navy team that administered quite a beating the last time it came to Greenville. The Midshipmen's 76-35 win in 2010 marked the most points allowed by the Pirates at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.

The key for East Carolina (5-3) - as it always is for each of Navy's opponents - is containing a triple-option offense that routinely produces some of the top rushing totals in the nation.