The Knights scraped together their second straight AAC Championship with a 32-30 victory over ECU in typical fashion – torture.
After giving up 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to squander a 26-9 lead, Justin Holman connected with Breshad Perriman on a 51-yard prayer to the end zone as the clock hit zero. It was a desperation toss that was aired out almost 60 yards on the fly, higher and farther than O’Leary had ever seen from one of his quarterbacks.
Perriman hauled the pass in behind two ECU defenders who mistimed the ball screaming at them from the heavens by a precious second. The bench emptied as the Knights streamed past a stunned Pirates’ football team on their way to a dogpile in the end zone.
It was “The Catch: Part 2”.
The jaw dropping finish was only necessary because of a fourth quarter collapse in epic proportions. ECU’s high octane scoring offense was kept in check all game by the Knights’ veteran defense, only allowing three field goals to a team who had been racking up over 40 points a game.
East Carolina quarterback Shane Carden came alive with the game on the line. He orchestrated scoring drives of 10, 5 and 8 plays, all of which took under three minutes each. There was no slow methodology to it, just the desperation of a team needing to score fast. Carden was responsible for three touchdown passes in just over 11 minutes of game time.
UCF squandered their first shot at redemption with a 4-and-out on downs, giving ECU the ball back one more time unbeatable field position to put the game away. Fighting with their backs to the wall has been home for the Knights’ defense this season, epitomized by last week’s goal line stand against USF to keep a shutout in play.
The stakes were higher this time in the red zone, meaning the difference between a potential championship and total heartbreak. ECU lost ten yards through three plays to bring up 4th and 15, but instead of sending the kicking team out, Carden once again set up under center.
Jaryl Mamea made the most out of the opportunity presented to him. Mamea brought down the Pirates’ signal caller for a loss of 11 yards to give UCF one last chance to take home the title, handing the ball to the offense at the 35 yard line.
Holman quickly hit Josh Reese for a first down, then launched the pass heard ‘round the world as he scrambled desperately on the game’s final play.
He would finish the day 20-33 for 274 yards and a touchdown.
William Stanback was a sight for sore eyes for the bulk of the game. Returning from a nagging shoulder injury that had kept him out of practice and games, Stanback produced like his old self again. The powerful back amassed 101 yards on 24 carries, breaking off a 41 yard gain and putting the rock in the end zone twice.
Though Stanback’s presence gave this offense a pillar to build around, it was Breshad Perriman who will forever live on as legend in UCF lore.
Perriman was electric in big-play situations. He averaged 34.8 yards a catch, hauling in four passes for 139 yards and the game-winning score. This is not the first time he has ignited his team and fan base, displaying all season just how explosive of a playmaker he can be – finishing the season with 41 receptions, 906 yards and 9 touchdowns; all career highs.
The Knights now await their bowl game selection, but can do so with the satisfaction of accomplishing their only goal, year-in and year-out. To win the Conference Championship.
