ECU cage the Owls winning 22-7

East Carolina University’s football team (2-8, American Athletic Conference) beat Florida Atlantic University (FAU) 22-7 (4-6, 3-3 AAC) on Nov. 11 in Boca Raton, Florida.

The win snaps the Pirates five game losing streak. FAU was a touchdown favorite to win against ECU in pregame odds throughout the week. ECU also managed to defeat their first FBS opponent since last year's bowl game against Coastal Carolina University (7-3,5-2 Sun Belt Conference).

Both sides were unable to score on their first possessions, but ECU would break the scoreless deadlock after a blocked punt. ECU graduate student running back Gerald Green broke free for a 18-yard touchdown run to put the Pirates up 7-0. FAU would punt after receiving the ball back.

To start the second quarter, ECU moved the ball down to as close as FAU’s 29 yard line before settling for a 46-yard field goal made by ECU sophomore kicker Andrew Conrad. FAU junior quarterback Daniel Richardson would give the ball right back to the Pirates, throwing an interception to ECU senior defensive back Julius Wood. The INT was Wood’s second of the year.

ECU punted the ball back to FAU after being unable to capitalize on the interception. On FAU’s next drive, they drove the ball 41 yards down the field for a touchdown, cutting the Pirates lead to three. ECU responded with a nine-play drive to knock in Conrad’s second field goal of the day, this time from 47-yards out.

Both sides punted to end the first half, with ECU holding on to a 13-7 lead. Defensively, the Pirates had only given up two FAU drives that resulted in over 10 yards. FAU had a total of seven drives in the first half.

The second half began with neither side able to put together a scoring drive. FAU came close, attempting a field goal from 37-yards out, but it was missed. The Pirates grinded out the rest of the third quarter on an eight-play drive that ended on a 43-yard field goal made by Conrad, his third.

That last drive for ECU lasted over five minutes, and allowed them to take a 16-7 lead heading into the fourth quarter. FAU would get the ball back but couldn’t string together any momentum. ECU would force a turnover on downs on FAU’s second possession of the fourth quarter.

The Pirates took over, and expanded their lead with yet another Conrad 46-yard field goal. It was Conrad’s second from that distance and fourth overall field goal of the game. FAU attempted to get back into the game on their next drive, but found themselves unable to convert on fourth down, thanks to an incomplete pass thrown by Richardson.

ECU would take advantage of the short field position, with Conrad’s fifth and final field goal of the game to give the Pirates a 22-7 lead. From there, FAU would end their next two possessions with 4th down failed conversions, sealing the win for ECU. The Pirates win is their first in conference play since Nov. 26, 2022 when they defeated the University of Temple (3-7, 1-5 AAC) 49-46.

Following this win for the Pirates, they’ll square off against the Naval academy (4-5, 3-3 AAC) on Saturday, Nov.18 in Annapolis, Maryland, with the game being broadcasted on ESPN+.