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Late TD sends ECU over No. 17 Virginia Tech

Sep 14, 2014 - 12:30 AM Blacksburg, VA (SportsNetwork.com) - Shane Carden's 1-yard touchdown run with 16 seconds left in regulation lifted East Carolina to a 28-21 victory over No. 17 Virginia Tech on Saturday.

Carden ended up 23-of-47 for 427 yards and threw for his team's first three scores as the Pirates (2-1) wasted a 21-point first-half advantage before rallying to win.

Trevon Brown, Isaiah Jones and Bryce Williams posted a TD grab apiece, with Breon Allen adding 54 yards on eight carries.

"I'm proud of our team and staff," said ECU coach Ruffin McNeill. "We had a tough loss at South Carolina. Coming back having to play another power away in a hostile venue was tough and I'm proud of our kids because we've been talking about the commitment since day one. To be able to see it grow in front of you is a beautiful thing to watch. That was a great win for our players."

Michael Brewer tossed three touchdowns and racked up 298 passing yards on 30- of-56 efficiency for the Hokies (2-1), who failed to capitalize on momentum gained from a surprise win last week at Ohio State.

Isaiah Ford totaled 77 yards and two scores on seven receptions, while Cam Phillips added the game-tying TD catch late in the fourth period. Marshawn Williams picked up 74 yards on 17 rushes in defeat.

Ford's second TD catch of the contest -- a 15-yard reception -- came with 6:31 left in the contest, and pulled the Hokies within 21-14. The Hokies defense then forced ECU to go three-and-out, but the offense couldn't get anything going until the next possession, which was set up by a 23-yard return to the Pirates' 47 by Greg Stroman.

Ford caught a 17-yard pass on 3rd-and-10, then an ECU penalty and completion to Phillips for seven yards and a first down followed. Brewer then pump-faked and hit a wide-open Phillips from 18 yards out inside of 90 seconds remaining for a 21-all deadlock.

However, two quick Carden strikes -- to Cam Worthy for 31 and 28 yards, respectively -- gave ECU position on the 1-yard line and Carden then called his own number for the winning score.

Carden and Williams hooked up for a 4-yard score on the game's opening possession, and ECU went up 14-0 as Carden found Brown in the end zone for a 15-yard strike on its next series.

The Pirates assumed a 21-0 edge inside of three minutes left as Jones dove for the goal line and made it for a 2-yard touchdown reception.

Virginia Tech finally hit the scoreboard thanks to a diving catch by Ford in the end zone with 47 seconds left before halftime.

Game Notes

East Carolina snapped a four-game losing streak to Virginia Tech dating back to a 27-22 win in Charlotte on Aug. 30, 2008, and posted just its second win in the last 12 matchups since 1992 ... Carden finished 11-of-19 for 174 yds and a trio of TDs in the first quarter alone ... The Hokies defense held ECU to 75 yards rushing on 25 attempts.