For much of Saturday’s Go Bowling Military Bowl, it did not look like the Pittsburgh Panthers and East Carolina Pirates had any interest playing in a game that featured six combined turnovers.
Despite the sloppiness, East Carolina (9-4) escaped with a second Military Bowl win in as many seasons, 23-17, to finish the season with its third consecutive bowl win, the longest streak in program history.
The Pirates only had 11 total first downs in the game to Pittsburgh’s 24 and went 2-of-15 on third down, but they forced five turnovers and took better care of the football.
Wild third quarter highlights ugly Military Bowl
You may not be able to find a more eventful quarter of football than the third quarter of Saturday’s Military Bowl. The Pirates had a TD overturned due to an inadvertent whistle from the officials, which was immediately followed by a scoop-and-score from Pittsburgh linebacker Rasheem Biles.
Two plays later, East Carolina answered right back with a 72-yard TD pass from quarterback Chaston Ditta to wide receiver Anthony Smith to help the Pirates retake the lead, 17-14, late in the third quarter.
