EAST HARTFORD, Conn. -- Thomas Sirk threw for 426 yards and three touchdowns, and East Carolina held off UConn 41-38 on Sunday in the American Athletic Conference opener for both teams.
UConn drove to the Pirate 15 with six seconds left in the game, but Michael Tarbutt missed a potential game-tying field goal as time expired.
Sirk, a graduate transfer from Duke, connected receiver Davon Grayson for 223 yards and scores of 17, 24 and 75 yards. They also teamed up on a 46-yard flea-flicker to set up another score.
The Pirates (1-3, 1-0 American) snapped a seven-game losing streak dating to last season.