Florida salvages season by beating East Carolina in Birmingham Bowl

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Florida’s defense was far from dominant but the Gators did more bending than they did breaking in a 28-20 victory over East Carolina on Saturday in the Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field.

The final defensive stand came in the final minutes after East Carolina had first-and goal at the 5-yard line.

Cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III intercepted a second down pass from Shane Carden in the end zone to end the threat. The pass was intended for Justin Hardy, but was underthrown.

It was a fitting end for the Florida defense that had four sacks, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions against the high-charged Pirates offense.

It was not a fitting to end to a spectacular game by Hardy, who had 11 catches for 160 yards and a touchdown, and Carden, who completed 34- of-66 passes for 427 yards and two touchdowns.

Florida’s running game and defense sparked the Gators (7-5) to a 21-7 lead at halftime. But East Carolina’s mistakes also had a lot to do with Florida’s two-touchdown cushion.

The Pirates (8-5) looked sharp early in the game, taking a 7-0 lead with 7:06 left in the first quarter on a 3-yard pass from Carden to Hardy.

After that, though, the Pirates were their own worst enemy.

The first half for East Carolina’s offense included a pick-6 interception by Florida nickel back Brian Poole, a fumble at the Florida 1-yard line by Wildcat quarterback Kurt Benkert, two failed fourth down conversions and a missed 42-yard field goal attempt by Warren Harvey.

East Carolina outgained Florida, 282-159, in the first half, but had little to show for it.

Florida tied the game on Poole’s 29-yard interception return late in the first quarter.

The Gators took the lead when redshirt freshman running back Adam Lane Jr. did all the work on a four-play, 68-yard drive that ended on his 2-yard scoring run on the first play of the second quarter.

The lead grew to two touchdowns when quarterback Treon Harris found Brandon Powell for a 13-yard score to cap a 13-play, 80-yard drive with 6:23 left in the half.

Florida converted four third downs on the drive, including a 24-yard run by Harris on third-and-17.

Benkert’s fumble came with East Carolina in a first-and-goal situation at the Gators’ 1-yard line. He lost the ball after being hit by Gerald Willis and Poole recovered with 3:23 left in the half.

East Carolina came out quickly in the second half, with Josh Hawkins intercepting Harris on the first series and Hardy taking Carden’s screen pass 66 yards on the following play.

Hardy reached the 4-yard line, before Carden connected with Cam Worthy three plays later to cut the deficit to 21-14.

Three plays later, Florida came up with its own big play when Ahmad Fulwood turned Harris’ screen pass into an 86-yard touchdown.

Two 24-yard field goals by Harvey, the second with 11:55 left in the game, cut the deficit to 28-20. But Florida refused to break at the end.