East Carolina University
3-3 , 2-1
UCF (HOF-LW/MA)
3-2 , 1-1
ECU Outlasts UCF In A Shootout, 52-38
October 07, 2007 | Football
Oct. 6, 2007
PDF Files: Notes | ECU Quotes | UCF Quotes | Stats
CSTV Highlights 
| Chris Johnson Post-Game | CJ Wilson Post-Game | Rob Kass Post-Game | Travis Simmons Post-Game
GREENVILLE, N.C. (AP) -- Chris Johnson returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown to spark a 28-point third quarter as East Carolina rallied against Central Florida and ran away to a 52-38 Conference USA victory Saturday night.
ECU (3-3, 2-1 C-USA) trailed 28-17 at halftime before the defense, offense and special teams took charge with a 28-3 run.
The defense forced five turnovers in the third quarter to take control away from the Knights (3-2, 1-1 C-USA). The Pirates converted three of the turnovers into scores. In addition to Johnson's kick return, Rob Kass hit Jamar Bryant on a 6-yard scoring pass and then hit Davon Drew on a 20-yard play.
A fourth score off a Central Florida turnover came at the start of the fourth quarter as Kass ran 6 yards up the middle to give East Carolina a 52-31 edge to complete the wild turnaround.
The 52 points are the most for East Carolina since the Pirates beat Houston in three overtimes, 54-48, on Nov. 9, 2002. They are the most in regulation since a 59-24 victory over Army on Oct. 5, 2002.
Johnson set a single-game school record for all-purpose yards. His 372 yards on kickoffs, rushing and receiving broke the mark of 356 set by Scott Harley against North Carolina State on Nov. 30, 1996.
Quarterback Kyle Israel hit 9 of 16 passes for 166 yards in the first half to help the Knights take the lead. He finished 28-for-45 for 308 yards and two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Kevin Smith, the nation's leading rusher, gained 147 yards and scored on a 1-yard run with 1:34 left in the half to give the Knights a 28-14 edge.
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Team Stats
UCF 7, ECU 0
UCF - FRANCIS, Curtis 93 yd kickoff return (TORRES, Michael kick)
UCF 7, ECU 7
ECU - JOHNSON, Chris 8 yd run (HARTMAN, Ben kick), 5 plays, 43 yards, TOP 2:27
UCF 14, ECU 7
UCF - AIKEN, Kamar 21 yd pass from ISRAEL, Kyle (TORRES, Michael kick) 8 plays, 86 yards, TOP 3:40
UCF 21, ECU 7
UCF - GUYTON, A.J. 39 yd pass from ISRAEL, Kyle (TORRES, Michael kick) 5 plays, 54 yards, TOP 2:11
UCF 21, ECU 14
ECU - JOHNSON, Chris 72 yd pass from KASS, Rob (HARTMAN, Ben kick) 3 plays, 77 yards, TOP 1:28
UCF 28, ECU 14
UCF - SMITH, Kevin 1 yd run (TORRES, Michael kick), 13 plays, 90 yards, TOP 5:09
UCF 28, ECU 17
ECU - HARTMAN, Ben 24 yd field goal 8 plays, 58 yards, TOP 1:22
UCF 28, ECU 24
ECU - JOHNSON, Chris 96 yd kickoff return (HARTMAN, Ben kick)
UCF 31, ECU 24
UCF - TORRES, Michael 20 yd field goal 7 plays, 55 yards, TOP 2:44
UCF 31, ECU 31
ECU - BRYANT, Jamar 6 yd pass from KASS, Rob (HARTMAN, Ben kick) 3 plays, 9 yards, TOP 1:19
UCF 31, ECU 38
ECU - DREW, Davon 20 yd pass from KASS, Rob (HARTMAN, Ben kick) 2 plays, 60 yards, TOP 0:16
UCF 31, ECU 45
ECU - JOHNSON, Chris 18 yd run (HARTMAN, Ben kick), 4 plays, 38 yards, TOP 0:55
UCF 31, ECU 52
ECU - KASS, Rob 6 yd run (HARTMAN, Ben kick), 5 plays, 19 yards, TOP 1:37
UCF 38, ECU 52
UCF - ISRAEL, Kyle 3 yd run (TORRES, Michael kick), 12 plays, 68 yards, TOP 2:48
