FINAL – UAB 30, East Carolina 17 (Overtime)
East Carolina appeared headed for a 2-0 start in American Conference play Thursday night, with a potentially pivotal showdown against Memphis looming next week.
Instead, the Pirates watched an eight-point lead disappear in the final 96 seconds of regulation before UAB completed a stunning comeback for a 30-17 overtime victory.
ECU (record) led 14-0 in the first half and 17-9 late in the fourth quarter, holding the Blazers without a touchdown for nearly the entire game. But UAB drove 93 yards in 10 plays without a timeout to force overtime, then scored on its first possession of the extra period.
The Pirates’ hopes of answering ended when Delvon Gulley intercepted Emory Williams on ECU’s third overtime play, sealing a remarkable turnaround for the Blazers. Gulley returned the pick for a touchdown, resulting in the more lopsided final margin.
Instead of traveling to Memphis next Thursday with an opportunity to build on a 2-0 conference start, East Carolina must regroup from a potentially costly defeat. UAB improved to 4-3, 2-1 in league play.
How It Happened
- ECU scored on its opening possession for the first time this season, turning a 75-yard march into an early 7-0 advantage. The Pirates used a balance of run and pass, and converted three third-down plays.
- East Carolina had three fumbles in the opening half. The first one resulted in a turnover in UAB territory, but the second one – after a pass reception by Israel Smith Flores – included a fortuitous bounce into the end zone where Dawson Quarterman pounced on it for an ECU touchdown. Flores covered the third bobble to help the Pirates retain possession.
- UAB’s ace kicker Jonah Delange booted a 41-yard field goal with 6:00 left in the second quarter to get the Blazers on the board (14-3).
- The Blazers followed a defensive stop near midfield in the third period with another Delange field goal to make the game 14-6. A 50-yarder from Delange late in the third pulled UAB to within 14-9.
- Noah Perez hit a career-long 43-yard field goal with 9:24 left in the fourth quarter to push ECU’s advantage back to eight points (17-9). The Pirates converted on fourth-and-short to keep the scoring drive alive.
- UAB advanced into East Carolina territory in the fourth quarter but dropped a fourth-down pass with 5:34 left. That turned the ball back over the Pirates at the ECU 25. It was the Blazers’ third drop of the night.
- ECU was forced to punt on fourth-and-12, and Noah Perez pinned the Blazers on their own 7 with 1:36 left with a well-placed pooch punt. But UAB went the full 93 yards in 10 plays – with no timeouts – to score the game-tying touchdown. Ryder Burton hit Bam McReynolds on a 17-yard touchdown pass, and Burton scrambled for the 2-point play to tie the game.
- UAB got the ball first in overtime, converted a third-and-10, and eventually found the end zone on a 6-yard pass from Ryder Burton to Rod Robinson II. Delange booted the all-important extra point, staying perfect on PATs for the season. That gave UAB its first lead, 24-17.
- ECU’s hopes of answering ended on the third play of its overtime possession when Delvon Gulley jumped an Emory Williams pass and returned the interception 80 yards for a touchdown, sealing UAB’s stunning 30-17 comeback victory.
By the Numbers
- 93: Yards that UAB marched in 10 plays to score the game-tying touchdown with 35 seconds left. The Blazers had no timeouts.
- 91: Yards UAB managed in the entire first half, getting sacked three times. The Pirates had eight tackles-for-loss before intermission but only two after the break.
- 240: Total yards for UAB’s offense until its late fourth-quarter drive. The Blazers ended up outgaining the Pirates 355-313.
- 4-0: UAB’s record at home this season after rallying to beat the Pirates.
- 21: Unanswered points scored by UAB after trailing 17-9 with less than two minutes remaining.
- 5-of-15: UAB on third downs for the game. The Blazers had been 2-of-12 before its final drive and overtime but converted its last two tries.
- 2: Turnovers for ECU, both costly. The first ended a potential scoring drive in UAB territory and the second turned into a pick-six in overtime.
- 126: Passing yards for ECU QB Emory Williams against one of the top passing defenses in FBS football. Williams was 18-of-27 with two touchdowns and one interception.
- 104: Rushing yards for East Carolina running back TJ Engleman Jr. on 26 carries.
- 262: Passing yards for UAB quarterback Ryder Burton, who completed 19-of-37 for two touchdowns and no interceptions.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
ECU 7, UAB 0 – Ray Ray Joseph Jr. 3-yard touchdown pass from Emory Williams (Noah Perez kick), 10:07
2nd Quarter
ECU 14, UAB 0 – Dawson Quarterman recovers Ismael Smith Flores’ fumble in the end zone for a TD following a 16-yard pass from Emory Williams (Noah Perez kick), 14:13
ECU 14, UAB 3 – Jonah Delange 41-yard field goal, 6:00
3rd Quarter
ECU 14, UAB 6 – Jonah Delange 26-yard field goal, 6:44
ECU 14, UAB 9 – Jonah Delange 50-yard field goal, 1:26
4th Quarter
ECU 17, UAB 9 – Noah Perez 43-yard field goal, 9:24
ECU 17, UAB 17 – Bam McReynolds 17-yard touchdown pass from Ryder Burton (Burton rush), 0:35
Overtime
UAB 24, ECU 17 – Rod Robinson II 6-yard touchdown pass from Ryder Burton (Delange kick)
UAB 30, ECU 17 – Delvon Gulley 80-yard interception return (-)
What’s Next?
East Carolina: The Pirates will look to regroup, playing a second Thursday night road game next week at Memphis (Oct. 22).
UAB: The Blazers will have an extra week to get ready for its American Conference road trip to South Florida on Oct. 31.
🔗 More North Carolina College Football Coverage
- East Carolina Football Schedule
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- 2026 week-by-week schedule
- North Carolina college football scores
