After rallying from an early 21-0 deficit the Pirates (1-9, 1-5) were ultimately denied their second victory of the season by a tipped extra point attempt and some horrendous officiating. Statistically ECU dominated the game, totaling 362 yards of offense to USF’s 243, but statistics don’t win football games.
According to Raleigh News & Observer’s Al Myatt, ECU was once again bitten by the bungled calls of one Dan Blum, the same guy that cost the Pirates a win against Southern Mississippi in 1986. After that game an irate fan assaulted Blum.
In an interview with Myatt, Blum refused to comment on a call that resulted in a touchdown for USF in the game’s final overtime, a 22 yard pass from Bull’s quarterback Ronnie Banks to Elgin Hicks . The ball actually bounced off the turf into Hicks’ hands. After some hesitation by the referee crew USF was awarded the score. The PAT gave USF a 38-31 lead. ECU subsequently scored on their next possession, but the Cameron Broadwell extra point attempt was tipped by a Bull’s player, and the ball hit the left upright, thus resulting in the final margin of loss 37-38.