The Pirates (4-6, 2-4 AAC) have now lost three straight, as they collapsed late in the final quarter when a blown coverage made for a USF 67-yard touchdown pass to USF wide receiver Rodney Adams.
“It was a disappointing loss to say the least,” an emotional ECU head coach Ruffin McNeill said after the game. “I take losing very hard because I am responsible for those guys and I put it on my shoulders. I want to win for them.”
Two critical penalties then dwindled the Pirates’ comeback hopes, most notably a late hit from senior cornerback Josh Hawkins in the game’s final minutes.