ECU scored a touchdown with 1:08 left then won it with an interception in a 31-27 victory over Memphis on Senior Day on Saturday.
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Senior Day at East Carolina packed all the drama anyone could have wanted, and it ended with a big party at midfield, complete with bringing down the goalposts in front of the Boneyard.
Katin Houser hooked up with backup receiver Payton Mangrum on a 31-yard touchdown with 1:08 to play, and Mike Wright Jr. intercepted a last-gasp pass to clinch a 31-27 over Memphis on Saturday in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
The thrilling victory not only extends the Pirates’ win streak to four but keeps them in the hunt for a spot in the American Conference championship. ECU (7-3, 5-1) enters the final two weeks of the regular season as one of four one-loss conference teams.
“You need to win a close one,” said Blake Harrell, who is 12-4 since taking over as head coach, including a 6-1 record in November. “You’re a good football team, but until you win a close one, you become a great football team. And I think we did that tonight. You didn’t see one guy flinch out there tonight.”
The Pirates rolled into to Saturday’s showdown with Memphis (8-3, 4-3) on the heels of three consecutive double-digit wins, averaging 44.8 points and 529.7 yards without breaking much of a sweat. But the tension never ceased against the Tigers. ECU jumped in front 7-0 and did not lead again until Magrum’s leaping catch in front of the bare-chested, shirt-waving students in the Boneyard.
“Going out with a bang with a win like that with Dowdy as electric as that … I’m not trying to get emotional, but it was amazing for me, especially when I’m not used to that,” said senior Zion Wilson, who tied his career high with two sacks of quarterback Brendon Lewis.
Mangrum also is not accustomed to the excitement and the spotlight. The sixth-year receiver, a former walk-on at South Carolina who came to ECU in January, seized his opportunity after Yanick Smith injured his right foot in the first half. Mangrum came into the game with just six catches but found himself on the receiving end of perhaps the biggest pass of the season.
After Memphis cashed in a Houser fumble to take a 27-24 lead on a field goal with 2:29 to play. ECU promptly covered 65 yards in seven plays to claim the lead for good. Mangrum caught a 12-yard pass early in the drive then capped it off with what proved to be the game-winner.
It seemed like a surreal moment after six years of working and waiting.
“I just know I’ve been through a lot this season, not really getting the play that I want to,” Mangrum said. “I just stayed down, kept focused, kept coming to practice, showing up every day. That’s the hardest part, getting up every day, going and doing it, and you’re not reaping the benefits that you want. Just trust in the Lord and the plan He has for me to be successful.”
Mangrum did get a glimpse of what was to come in Thursday’s two-minute drill in practice.
“We actually called that same play in two-minute Thursday, and I caught the same ball,” Mangrum said. “It’s kind of crazy watching practice come to the game.”
Houser agreed.
“I feel like it was destined to happen” Houser said. “He went out and caught that ball. We practiced it, we were ready for it. It was awesome.”
Houser, who completed 23 of 34 passes for 332 yards for his sixth career game with at least 300 yards passing, said throwing his first game-winning pass at ECU is like living a dream.
“When you’re a kid in the back yard that’s all you think about, that’s all you do,” Houser said. “You imagine a two-minute drive, going down and throwing a game-winning touchdown pass. Being able to do that tonight in Dowdy-Ficklen, it’s everything to me.”
Houser directed ECU’s first scoring drive in the opening quarter, connecting with Brock Spalding for 22 yards and Yannick Smith for 39 to set up London Montgomery’s 1-yard plunge. But the Tigers responded behind Lewis, forged ahead and took a 17-10 lead to half.
Lewis, hampered by an injured ankle since a loss at UAB on Oct. 18, completed 19 of 24 passes for 121 yards in the first half, spreading the ball to nine different receivers and connecting on 12-straight at one point. He finished 32 of 41 for 209 yards and rushed 12 times for 61 yards.
Lewis’ only touchdown pass came on a 5-yard toss to Matt Adcock on a fourth-and-goal, bringing the Tigers even at 7-7. Sutton Smith’s 84-yard run put Memphis ahead, and the teams traded field goals to make it 17-10.
ECU found its rhythm in the third quarter, forcing a quick punt and scoring on consecutive possessions. Houser scored from the 1 for his eighth rushing touchdown of the year, then Montgomery answered a Lewis touchdown with a 24-yard run for a 24-24 tie. Montgomery surpassed 100 yards for the second time in his career, finishing with 103 yards on a career-high 27 carries.
The Pirates’ fortunes looked dim after Kamari Wilson stripped the ball from Houser and Pooda Walker recovered at the ECU 24. Memphis picked up one first down but bogged down at the 12 and settled for a 30-yard field goal with 2:29 showing.
That defensive stand proved critical.
“We want that,” Wilson said. “Put us in a tough situation so people can see how great we are. I believe that happened all throughout the game, and that definitely showed up in the fourth quarter.”
ECU, which saw late chances fall short against NC State and Tulane, did not let this opportunity get away. Houser picked up first downs with a 12-yard pass to Mangrum and an 18-yarder to Anthony Smith, who surpassed 1,000 yards receiving for his career. After a 5-yard run by Montgomery, Houser lofted the decisive pass to Mangrum.
Wright’s pick then set off the celebration.
“I saw those goal posts come down; that’s pretty special,” Harrell said. “That’s just awesome. I can’t put it into words what this place is, to see those students come on the field, that’s who we are. Let’s celebrate this thing. I don’t know how long it’s been since we had a win like that in Dowdy-Ficklen, on Senior Day or in November and to be in this situation in the conference. We’re certainly proud of it. We’ve obviously got a big one next week down at UTSA.”