Tulsa’s offense, ranked seventh in the nation, and East Carolina, with its unique two quarterback system, were set for the shootout of the year.
Tulsa started the game just as expected, with two third-down conversions on its opening drive that had the ECU defense defending the red-zone. The Pirates’ corners looked over-matched, while the Golden Hurricane’s running attack seemed surprisingly potent.
Just when the story seemed set in stone, cornerback Josh Hawkins and the Pirates defense tore it to shreds.
Tulsa quarterback Dane Evans threw a pass to the end zone, and Hawkins picked the throw off at the goal line, taking it all the way to the house for a 100-yard pick-six.