East Carolina holds off late Old Dominion threat, 24-21
NORFOLK, Va. -- Warren Saba blocked a punt for a touchdown, Horton Ahlers passed for two more and East Carolina held off Old Dominion 24-21 Saturday night.
Each team scored a field goal on its first possession, but the tide began to turn when Saba blocked a Bailey Cate punt and recovered the ball for a four-yard touchdown.
A series later, Cate pinned the Pirates (3-2) back at the 4 with a 49-yard punt. Demetrius Mauney tore off a 21-yard run to kick off the 96-yard scoring march. Ahlers teamed with Blake Proehl on a 72-yard TD for a 17-3 halftime lead. The 14-point lead is ECU's largest after a half against an FBS team since the 2015 season.
Old Dominion's (1-3) Kesean Strong dove across from the 1 -- he also picked up the two-point conversion -- with 2:13 remaining as the Monarchs cut the gap to 24-21.
ECU was able to run out the clock in four plays for the win and also snap a 10-game road losing streak that began in the 2017 season.
Game Information
2024 American Athletic Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Army | 7-0 | 9-0 |
| Tulane | 7-0 | 9-2 |
| Navy | 5-2 | 7-3 |
| Memphis | 5-2 | 9-2 |
| East Carolina | 4-2 | 6-4 |
| South Florida | 3-3 | 5-5 |
| UTSA | 3-3 | 5-5 |
| Charlotte | 2-4 | 3-7 |
| North Texas | 2-4 | 5-5 |
| Rice | 2-4 | 3-7 |
| Temple | 2-4 | 3-7 |
| UAB | 1-5 | 2-8 |
| Tulsa | 1-5 | 3-7 |
| Florida Atlantic | 0-6 | 2-8 |
2024 Sun Belt Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Marshall | 5-1 | 7-3 |
| Georgia Southern | 4-2 | 6-4 |
| James Madison | 4-2 | 8-2 |
| Old Dominion | 3-3 | 4-6 |
| Coastal Carolina | 2-4 | 5-5 |
| App State | 2-4 | 4-5 |
| Georgia State | 0-6 | 2-8 |
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 5-1 | 8-2 |
| Texas State | 4-2 | 6-4 |
| Arkansas State | 4-2 | 6-4 |
| South Alabama | 4-2 | 5-5 |
| UL Monroe | 3-3 | 5-5 |
| Troy | 2-4 | 3-7 |
| Southern Miss | 0-6 | 1-9 |
NCAAF News