East Carolina controls 2nd half, rallies past USF 29-14

GREENVILLE, N.C. -- , Holton Ahlers passed for 220 yards and began a second-half comeback with a touchdown pass to Audie Omotosho as East Carolina rallied past South Florida 29-14 on a wet Thursday night. The 17-yard touchdown pass brought ECU within a point, 14-13. A second possession ended with three Ahler passes either broken up or hurried in or near the end zone, and a 39-yard field goal attempt on fourth down was wide in driving rain. However, two plays later the Pirates took a 19-14 lead when Malik Fleming jumped a route and intercepted USF's Katravis Marsh , returning it 31 yards for the go-ahead touchdown. The Pirates scored a third unanswered touchdown with Keaton Mitchell 's 25-yard burst early in the fourth quarter and added a 37-yard Owen Daffler field goal. During the game ECU converted on five of six fourth-down plays.