From week to week, UConn sticks to its program-building recipe.

Focus on daily improvement and fundamentals and not worry about the opponent.

And keep the faith even during a four-game losing streak.

"It's tough losing," red-shirt sophomore Mikal Myers said. "You always want to win. But we also have to understand that we have to keep pushing and keep getting better.

"The things that we're doing, we have to buy in that it's the right way and understand the wins will come eventually. We just have to keep working."

UConn's faith will be severely tested tonight at 18th-ranked East Carolina at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium in Greenville, N.C.

"What a great opportunity and a fun opportunity," coach Bob Diaco said. "You got to be looking forward to these moments. This is why you put your pads on and come to work to have these exciting chances."

Someday UConn (1-5, 0-3), which sits in the American Athletic Conference basement, hopes to reside in the same elite neighborhood as league co-leader East Carolina (5-1, 2-0).

With a win tonight, the Pirates can reach bowl eligible status for the eighth time in nine years.

The Huskies, on the other hand, are too busy focusing on the program's development to even think about future glory days. The most celebrated victories right now come in the form of progress on the practice field. Diaco gets excited about things like the improvements made by the defensive and offensive lines.

Diaco called it the research and development phase.

"We really haven't rolled out our product line," Diaco said. "You just happened to be watching through the open glass. It's like a pharmaceutical company making a medicine that's eventually going to help everybody. It's in research and development and eventually you're going to roll out the product and it's going to be great."

Ready or not, UConn faces a monumental task tonight.

East Carolina is an offensive juggernaut. The Pirates boast one of the nation's top attacks, ranking fifth in total offense (564.7 yards per game) and passing offense (371.3 yards). They average 41 points per game.

School-record setting quarterback Shane Carden, who's thrown for 2,129 yards and 16 touchdowns, ignites the fireworks show. Justin Hardy and Isaiah Jones rank second and third in the conference in receptions with 47 and 42, respectively.

"Outstanding," Diaco said of Carden. "He's one of the best and most productive players in the country. He's one of the most productive players in their history. And he's got some very talented players to get the ball to."

Oh, and the Pirates are fast and athletic on defense.

About the only way UConn remains competitive tonight is with a ball-control, turnover-free attack and sturdy defense.

"They've played really, really well," said Gus Cruz, a redshirt senior offensive lineman. "We've just got to go out there and execute and really take care of us and make sure we play to the best of our ability. Then, at the end, we can see the total sum of the parts as far as every play and who wins every battle.

"... They're a great team. They can expect our best. We're ready."

g.keefe@theday.com

Twitter: @GavinKeefe