Andrew Conrad kicked a career-long 55-yard field goal as time expired, and East Carolina clipped South Florida 20-17 in a Friday night American Conference game in Greenville.
Conrad’s previous best had been from 52 yards, but this game-clincher would have been good from a lot longer than 55. The Pirates (5-4, 3-2 American) avoided overtime for the third time this season after losing two previous OT contests.
ECU went most of the way without starting quarterback Mitch Griffis and leading rusher TJ Engleman Jr., who both left with injuries.
Emory Williams took control of the Pirates offense, throwing a pair of touchdown passes with no interceptions. Landon Sides proved his favorite target, catching 14 throws on the night and both of Williams’ TDs.
Ashton Gray enjoyed a 101-yard rushing performance on 18 attempts.
East Carolina’s winning drive started at its own 14-yard line. The Pirates covered 49 yards in 10 plays over the final 1:42 before Conrad’s clutch kick.
The contest appeared headed to overtime when Williams was sacked at the ECU 42, setting up third-and-17 with just 25 seconds to play. But Williams slipped a pass around a defender to Gray, who weaved his way 18 yards for a first down to the USF 40. Another three-yard pass to Gray then got Conrad into position for the longest made field goal of his college career.
This was a big win for the Pirates, who are now one game from bowl eligibility and still in the conversation with other American Conference upper division teams.
East Carolina beat South Florida (6-3, 2-3 American) for the fourth time in a row and improved to 4-1 in home games at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
What’s Next for East Carolina?
The Pirates will face in-state rival Charlotte on the road next Saturday, Nov. 14. The closing stretch then features games against Army and Florida Atlantic, other league teams who currently have two conference losses.
Statistics and scoring: official ECU–South Florida game book, Nov. 6, 2026. Records shown are postgame.
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final South Florida 7 3 0 7 17 East Carolina 0 10 7 3 20 The deciding moment
Game leaders
Box score & scoring
Team statistics
Statistic USF ECU Total yards 329 361 Passing yards 179 223 Rushing yards 150 138 First downs 19 25 Third downs 1/10 6/15 Fourth downs 0/1 1/1 Turnovers 0 1 Penalties 6–54 5–35 Sacks recorded 3 3 Time of possession 31:17 28:43 Passing, rushing & receiving
Player Cmp–Att Yds TD INT Emory Williams 19–27 175 2 0 Mitch Griffis 7–11 48 0 0 Player Car Yds TD Ashton Gray 18 101 0 Michael Allen 5 26 0 Mitch Griffis 1 10 0 T.J. Engleman Jr. 5 6 0 Emory Williams 4 −5 0 Player Rec Yds TD Landon Sides 14 126 2 Ray Ray Joseph Jr. 7 62 0 Ashton Gray 3 26 0 Kanen Hamlett 1 6 0 Jason Dickerson 1 3 0 Player Cmp–Att Yds TD INT Luke Kromenhoek 17–21 179 1 0 Player Car Yds TD D.J. Crowther 17 111 0 Jason Collins Jr. 5 20 1 Luke Kromenhoek 15 19 0 Player Rec Yds TD Bryson Rodgers 5 50 1 D.J. Crowther 3 42 0 Cameron Seldon 3 32 0 Evan Dangler 1 27 0 Jason Collins Jr. 2 12 0 Defensive leaders & kicking
Player Team Key stats Grayson Howard USF 13 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 0.5 sack C.J. Hicks USF 9 tackles Tavin Ward USF 9 tackles Kamaurri McKinley ECU 11 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 0.5 sack Zyeir Gamble ECU 9 tackles Crews Law ECU 7 tackles J.D. Lampley ECU 1 sack Andrew Conrad ECU 55-yard winning FG Noah Perez ECU 44-yard FG, 2 PAT Nico Gramatica USF 30-yard FG, 2 PAT Full scoring summary
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