Pirates scrape by with a win against South Florida

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GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) - Nothing says night of the boneyard like the Pirates coming out in a cloud of smoke, to take on South Florida at Dowdy-Ficklen on Friday night.

The dust settled revealing a hungry ECU squad, hoping to make it three wins in a row against South Florida.

The bulls saw red early and their quarterback Luke kromenhoek threw to Bryson Rodgers, who found himself home free.

7-0 Bulls with 10:25 left in the first quarter.

The pirates continued to do what we’ve seen them do all season defensively, making big time plays to fuel the offense.

ECU quarterback Mitch Griffis came out of the game with an injury before the second quarter, putting Emory Williams at the helm.

Williams and Landon sides got some sparks flying late in the second, scoring their first touchdown to go up 10-7 over South Florida before halftime.

Friday was a big night for Sides, snagging 126 yards on the game with 14 receptions.

On ECU’s first drive of the second half, Williams would find Sides again for his second TD of the night, 17-10 pirates..

But they weren’t out of the clear yet. South Florida tied it up in the fourth.

With the ball in the Pirates hands on the last drive, and just a couple seconds left on the clock, Andrew Conrad completed a field goal from 55 yards out, to give ECU the win over the Bulls.

Pirates win 20 to 17.