With 2:40 left in the game, Brett Hodges failed to convert on fourth down for the first time in the game and gave the ball to Marshall to essentially run out the clock. A majority of the Knights fans bolted for the exits as it looked like the Knights would drop another close C-USA game.
Unfortunately for Marshall, someone forgot to tell Bruce Miller the game was over as he stripped the ball from Marshall QB Brian Anderson, and Josh Robinson recovered to give The Knights one more chance.
With :26 left and the ball at the Marshall 1, Hodges found Rocky Ross for a wide open touchdown pass to give the Knights the lead 21-20, and jubilation resonated over the remaining fans and UCF players.
“That’s the loudest I’ve ever heard the locker room following a game in all my years here,” Coach George O’Leary said. “These kids have a lot of fight in them.”
Hodges had a great passing game as he went 23 of 45 for 342 yards and 2 touchdown passes. A.J. Guyton caught 5 passes for 100 yards and Ross added 76 yards and a touchdown.
Brynn Harvey couldn’t get things going against a Marshall defense that had given up 5.4 yards a carry coming into the game as he rushed 21 times for 47 yards and a touchdown.
We saw glimpses of Freshman Johnathan Davis, who botched a WR end around but then ran 15 yards for a 1st down. “We may see more of him in the near future,” Coach O’Leary said. “He’s going to be a really good running back in the future.”
Bruce Miller got 2.5 sacks on the night to put him at 9 sacks on the season, passing teammate Jarvis Geathers for the C-USA sack leader. Now, Miller is first with 9 sacks followed by Geathers with 7.
Miller was also named C-USA Defensive Player of the Week. When asked about the forced fumble that led to the game winning touch down, Miller said: “This has to be at the top of my list of plays I’ve made. Were so excited to win and keep our season alive.”
Looking Ahead… The Knights take on #2 Texas Longhorns in Arlington as Colt Mccoy looks to add to his Heisman resume. The Knights look to play spoiler to the Longhorns’ BCS hopes, but that will be a tough task for the Knights.
East Carolina plays non-conference opponent Virginia Tech this Thursday. ECU is the only team ranked in front of UCF for the C-USA Championship. ECU will then travel to Tulsa and will have 5 days rest between games before they take on UAB. Hopefully, for the Knights, the short rest will affect ECU’s play.
If the Knights win their remaining C-USA games and ECU loses twice, the Knights will host the C-USA Championship Game.
