East Carolina calls timeout, kicks last-second field goal to avoid getting shut out by Michigan
East Carolina was thoroughly dominated by Michigan in the Week 1 matchup. However, the Pirates were intent on not going quietly into the night.
With Michigan approaching a season-opening shutout, East Carolina called a timeout with 5 seconds remaining in the game. The Pirates were in field goal range, and ECU dialed up the last-second field goal to avoid the shut out.
The play had no final impact on the game, but ECU can at least leave the Big House without being the victim of a shut out. Instead, the Wolverines won the game 30-3.
East Carolina didn’t want to be shut out.
So, it called a timeout with 5 seconds left and kicked a FG on 3rd down. pic.twitter.com/iPcwP72snI
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 2, 2023
Maybe it is a mental thing for the ECU program, but the last-second kick does not do much for what really happened in the game. The Wolverines outgained the Pirates 402-235 and likely could have pushed that number even higher.
JJ McCarthy was almost perfect with a trio of touchdowns, all to Roman Wilson. Blake Corum also scored a touchdown in his return to the field with Michigan avoiding any turnovers.
Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter led the game as the interim coach. In the end, the outcome is all Minter could ask for during his first turn at the helm.