Tulsa's last minute field goal beats ECU 29-27

East Carolina University’s football team (2-10, 1-7 American Athletic Conference) finished their season against the University of Tulsa, losing 29-27 (4-8, 2-6 AAC). 

The Pirates finished the season with only two wins for the first time since 2004. The loss also seals ECU at the bottom of the AAC Conference for the first time in the Mike Houston era for the Pirates. Today was also the last game coached by former ECU Offensive Coordinator Donnie Kirepatrick. 

Tulsa started the game with the ball and wasted no time getting points on the board, scoring on their first drive of the game, thanks to a 31-yard touchdown pass from their freshman quarterback Kirk Francis. The extra point was missed, leaving Tulsa with a 6-0 lead.

ECU answered right back, driving the ball down to Tulsa’s endzone in just six plays. ECU redshirt junior quarterback Matt Flinn threw a touchdown pass to ECU senior wide receiver Jaylen Johnson. The touchdown was Johnson’s first this year. 

The offense continued, as Tulsa got the ball down to ECU’s 28-yard line but were forced to settle for a field goal attempt. ECU’s junior defensive back Shavon Revel made a huge play, blocking the kick to stop Tulsa from cutting the lead from the Pirates. 

Immediately afterwards, ECU junior running back Rahjai Harris broke off a 50-yard touchdown run to give the Pirates a 14-6 lead. Harris would finish the game with a season high 145 rushing yards. The touchdown run was his sixth total touchdown of the year.

Tulsa punted on their next drive, but was able to get the ball back after ECU senior wide receiver Jsi Hatfield fumbled on the punt return. Francis would find Tulsa freshman tight end Luke McGary on a 15-yard strike to cut ECU’s lead down to one.

Following an ECU punt, Tulsa punched it in from the one yard line to take a 20-14 lead.

It wouldn’t last long as the Pirates would take their previous one point lead back just four minutes later. Flinn would throw his second touchdown pass of the game, hitting Hatfield on a 32-yard pass to the endzone. 

Following a Tulsa interception, ECU sophomore kicker Andrew Conrad nailed in a 29-yard field goal to end the half, with the Pirates up 24-20. ECU’s 24 points was the most they’ve scored in the first half all season long. 

In the second half, the game switched from offense to defense as both sides scored less than seven points. Tulsa converted two field goals to take a slim one point lead. ECU’s Conrad would do the same, knocking in his final field goal of the game, this time from 26-yards, to give ECU a 27-26 lead. 

Time in the fourth quarter winded down with both sides exchanging turnovers and punts. ECU gave Tulsa a chance to win it with two minutes left. Harris fumbled on ECU’s last drive of the game, recovered by Tulsa. Draining the clock on an 11-play drive to ensure ECU wouldn’t get the ball back, Tulsa took their time driving down the field.

With only five seconds remaining in the final quarter, Tulsa set up a 37-yard field goal by sophomore kicker Chase Meyer to win the game 29-27, winning it. Today’s loss is the fourth straight for ECU against Tulsa. The Pirates haven’t beaten Tulsa since 2015.