South Florida Bulls vs. East Carolina Pirates: Last-Second 55-Yard Field Goal Delivers Stunning Victory!
College football fans witnessed a dramatic finish as the East Carolina Pirates defeated the South Florida Bulls 20-17 in an exciting American Conference showdown on Friday night, November 6, 2026.
The game came down to the final seconds, when East Carolina kicker Andrew Conrad delivered a spectacular 55-yard field goal with just two seconds remaining to secure the victory at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium in Greenville, North Carolina.
It was a heartbreaking finish for South Florida, which had fought back to tie the game in the fourth quarter.
South Florida Starts Strong
The Bulls opened the game with an impressive offensive drive.
Quarterback Luke Kromenhoek connected with Bryson Rodgers on a 26-yard touchdown pass, giving South Florida an early 7-0 advantage.
East Carolina struggled to find its rhythm during the opening quarter, but the Pirates gradually began building momentum.
A 44-yard field goal from Noah Perez put the home team on the scoreboard in the second quarter.
South Florida responded with a 30-yard field goal from Nico Gramatica to make it 10-3.
However, the Pirates had one more opportunity before halftime.
Quarterback Emory Williams found Landon Sides for a 15-yard touchdown with just 31 seconds remaining, sending both teams into the locker room tied at 10-10.
East Carolina Takes Control
The Pirates continued their momentum after halftime.
Williams connected with Sides again, this time on an eight-yard touchdown pass, giving East Carolina a 17-10 lead in the third quarter.
The connection between Williams and Sides became one of the biggest offensive weapons of the evening.
South Florida struggled to respond, but the Bulls refused to surrender.
South Florida Forces a Tie
With the game entering the fourth quarter, South Florida needed a big offensive response.
The Bulls delivered when Jason Collins Jr. rushed into the end zone from one yard out, completing a 76-yard scoring drive.
The touchdown tied the game at 17-17 with approximately 10 minutes remaining.
Both defenses then fought to prevent another scoring opportunity, setting up a dramatic finish.
Andrew Conrad Becomes the Hero
With only seconds remaining, East Carolina faced a crucial opportunity to win the game.
Kicker Andrew Conrad stepped onto the field and attempted a difficult 55-yard field goal.
He made it.
The ball sailed through the uprights with just two seconds left, giving East Carolina a 20-17 victory and sending the home crowd into celebration.
It was a remarkable finish and one of the defining moments of the Pirates’ 2026 season.
Key Players and Statistics
East Carolina quarterback Emory Williams completed 19 of 27 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns.
Wide receiver Landon Sides was outstanding, recording 14 receptions for 126 yards and two touchdowns.
Running back Ashton Gray added 101 rushing yards for the Pirates.
For South Florida, Kromenhoek completed 17 of 21 passes for 179 yards and one touchdown, while D.J. Crowther contributed 111 rushing yards.
The Pirates finished with 361 total offensive yards compared with 329 for the Bulls.
Final Score: East Carolina 20, South Florida 17
The victory improved East Carolina’s record to 5-4 overall and 3-2 in American Conference play. South Florida dropped to 6-3 overall and 2-3 in conference competition.
For the Pirates, it was a victory built on resilience, teamwork, and a spectacular final kick.
For the Bulls, it was a painful reminder of how quickly a football game can change.
Andrew Conrad’s 55-yard field goal will certainly be remembered as one of the biggest moments of this matchup.