Pirates play final regular-season road game at UCF

According to weather forecasts, there is a 70 percent chance of rain showers in Orlando during Thursday’s game between the East Carolina Pirates and UCF Knights.

By the time the first half was over, the Pirates had scored more points (31) than they had in any of their past four games. He averaged five yards a carry, but he could not help very much once the score became lop-sided as it did. “The offensive line did a great job and we were able to spread the ball around to a lot of our playmakers”.

UCF came out swinging on their opening drive and Justin Holman connected with Tre’Quan Smith on an 11-yard touchdown.

Adding to their misery, UCF starting quarterback Justin Holman left the game with a left foot injury just a few minutes before halftime. “It’s not fun, it’s not enjoyable, but we can’t give up and I know it is my past year and I could never play football again”. A win tonight would prevent the Pirates from postseason play and depending on how the conference games play out this weekend, the matchup against USF could have major ramifications on the Bulls season as well.

Kemp had 260 yards and three touchdown passes in the first half when ECU set the tone for the game with scoring drives of 93, 81 and 71 yards. The Pirates rolled on both sides of the football for all but the first possession of the game.

Books opened East Carolina as a 15-point road favorite but that has since moved to -14.

He went 9 of 17 passing for 110 yards, one touchdown pass and one interception before his departure.

However, Jones had touchdown receptions of 18 and 61 yards called back because of penalties and Hairston had a 51-yard scoring run called back because of holding.

The Pirates proved opportune on defense, forcing three turnovers while not committing one of their own for the third time this season. The Pirates will take on UCF in an American Athletic Conference contest at Bright House Networks Stadium. A 44-yard Holman completion to Jordan Franks was the big play that pushed the Knights into the redzone right before Smith finished off the drive.

UCF’s offense, meanwhile, was stagnant. It was the Knights’ 16th fumble this season. The UCF quarterback limped off the field late in the second quarter after getting hit while attempting a pass.

His replacements, Tyler Harris and Bo Schneider, fared worse.

“[It’s] not an ideal situation to be in”, interim head coach Danny Barrett said in a press conference announcing his promotion on October 26, ahead of the Cincinnati game. Condado, who had made a 45-yard field goal earlier, was on the mark. The running game was not part of any quick comeback plan.

Against UCF Thursday night, however, Jones enjoyed a breakout campaign, tying a career high with 14 catches and setting a new personal best with 164 yards and two scores.