It was a rainy Thursday night, and Dowdy-Ficklen was pained black. Both offenses moved the ball well but couldn’t hold onto it. Each team turned the ball over three times. Despite averaging one more yard per play, the South Florida Bulls couldn’t hold on to the ball quite like the Pirates of East Carolina who nearly doubled up South Florida in time of possession. That seemed to be the big difference in the 29-14 win by East Carolina.
The rain seemed to affect play early, as each team lost a fumble in the first quarter. The Pirate offense came on strong at the end of the first, and they were able to grab the first score of the game on the opening play of the second quarter on a 17-yard run by Rahjai Harris. Owen Daffer missed the PAT and the Pirates had a 6-0 lead. Midway through the quarter the Bulls put up 14 points in 31 seconds after taking advantage of yet another Pirate fumble, this one coming on a kick return by Tyler Snead. That was the second of three fumbles ECU lost in the first half and the Bulls lead 14-6 at the break.
The turnovers continued in the second half a Malik Fleming picked off Katravis Marsh and took t to the house for a 31-yard pick six. After a failed 2-point conversation the Pirate lead 19-14. This was the story of the second half for South Florida as Marsh was intercepted two more times and they were outscored 23-0.
It was a successful start to Halloween weekend in Greenville. The Pirates are now 4-4 (2-2) and are hoping to make their first bowl game since 2015. They play Temple at home next Saturday.