By By Associated Press
ORLANDO, Fla. — East Carolina placekicker Ben Hartman drilled a 39-yard field goal in overtime to lift the Pirates to a 13-10 win over the University of Central Florida.
The Pirates improved to 5-3 this season, 3-1 in Conference USA play. UCF dropped to 2-6, 1-3.
Hartmans game-winner, the third of his career, followed an interception by Pirates freshman cornerback Emanuel Davis on the first play of overtime. Davis stepped in front of a pass by UCF quarterback Michael Greco, giving the Pirates an opportunity to finish off a rally that started in the final minutes of regulation.
ECU tailback Norman Whitley, who rushed for 135 yards in the game, scored from two yards out with 1:51 left in regulation to tie the game at 10-10.
That started a wild run to the finish with both teams turning the ball over once, but neither could convert.
Greco, who was just 9-of-21 for 142 yards passing, fumbled at the UCF 46 with 33 seconds left. Davis recovered for ECU.
However, Pirates quarterback Rob Kass was intercepted on the next play by Johnell Neal. The Knights ran out the clock to play for overtime.
UCFs defense dominated the game for the first three and a half quarters, but couldnt finish.
The Knights led 10-0 at halftime after a 54-yard scoring pass from Greco to Jamar Newsome and a 49-yard field goal by Daren Daly.
The Knights defense, meanwhile, was manhandling ECUs offense. The Pirates had only 89 yards total offense and converted just one of eight third-down opportunities. Hartman tried to salvage something for ECUs offense, but missed on attempts from 48 and 46 yards.
ECUs defense took over in the third period, limiting UCF to one first down and just seven yards in the quarter. Hartman finally connected, nailing a 27-yard field goal to cut the Pirates deficit to 10-3.