East Carolina holds off Middle Tennessee 24-17
Shane Carden had 365 yards passing and accounted for two touchdowns to help East Carolina edge Middle Tennessee 24-17 in a Conference USA matchup Saturday.
The Pirates (4-1, 2-0 C-USA) scored the go-ahead touchdown early in the fourth quarter when Carden found Justin Hardy for a 21-yard strike.
The Blue Raiders (3-3, 1-1) got the ball with 5:16 remaining following a missed field goal by Warren Harvey, but Logan Kilgore was intercepted by Damon Magazu on the next play.
East Carolina milked the remaining five minutes on the clock during the ensuing series, driving 42 yards on 11 plays and converting three times on third down.
Carden was 43-for-57 passing and also rushed for a score in the second quarter for the Pirates.
Kilgore was 28-for-37 with 245 yards and two interceptions. He connected with Tavarres Jefferson for a 26-yard touchdown to tie the game late in the third.