Nov. 3, 2008
Final Stats | Quotes | Notes
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Ben Hartman booted a 39-yard field goal in overtime as visiting East Carolina defeated UCF 13-10 Saturday night in a Conference USA football game at Bright House Networks Stadium.
UCF led 10-0 at halftime before the Pirates scored 13 unanswered points. The Knights had the ball first in overtime, but junior Michael Greco's (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) pass attempt on first down was intercepted by Emanuel Davis.
On the Pirates' overtime possession, Norman Whitley rushed the ball three times for three yards before Hartman was sent out for the field goal.
Whitley scored the game-tying touchdown on a two-yard plunge with 1:51 left in the fourth quarter, capping a 10-play, 46-yard drive which included a conversion on fourth-and-10.
Hartman's 27-yard field goal got the Pirates on the board with 7:57 left in the third quarter. ECU outgained UCF 111 to seven in the quarter, but managed to score just three points.
The Knights controlled the first half, and Greco connected with sophomore Jamar Newsome (St. Petersburg, Fla.) for a 54-yard score with 1:40 left in the first half to give UCF the 10-0 lead at the break.
The hosts' defense was stellar in the first half, holding ECU to just 89 yards of total offense on 30 plays. The Knights meanwhile had 165 yards, including 114 passing yards from Greco. For the game, the Pirates had a 283-224 edge in total offense.
UCF forced a three-and-out on East Carolina's opening possession, the seventh time in eight games this season the Knights' foes have not scored on their first drive.
The Knights scored the lone three points of the opening quarter with an eight-play, 48-yard drive that ended with a 49-yard field goal from senior Daren Daly (Coral Springs, Fla.).
UCF returns to action Saturday, hosting Southern Miss at 3:30 p.m. at Bright House Networks Stadium. The contest will serve as the Knights' Homecoming game.
For the latest news on the Knights, log on to www.UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit www.UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.