Miami had to go on the road for their Week 3 game against 2-0 East Carolina. The Pirates would start off with ball but things would not go well. They would have two dropped passes and a sack to go 3 and out. The Canes offense would get off to a nice start, they would put together an 8 play drive that would end with a 5 yard touchdown run by Damien Martinez for an early 7-0 lead. The Pirates would get the ball next and would put together a drive that would end in a 36 yard field goal to cut the lead to 7-3. Miami would put a nice drive together but they would miss a 40 yard field goal. The Canes defense would force the Pirates into another 3 and out getting the ball back for their offense. Martinez would then break a long 63 yard run for a touchdown to put the Canes up 14-3. East Carolina would add another FG before the break and Miami would lead 14-6. "We played a great first half," said Coach Dealer, "Martinez really dominated that first half for us and came up with some big runs."
The Hurricanes would have a very bad 3rd quarter. Cam Ward would throw 3 interceptions. They would pick off one pass at the 1 yard line to stop the Pirates from scoring, however they would not be so lucky on one of the other turnovers. East Carolina would score a TD but would be stuffed on their 2pt attempt to hold the lead to 14-12. To start the 4th quarter East Carolina would try a 52 yard field goal but the kick would come up short giving the Canes the ball in great field position. The Hurricanes would put together a nice drive that would end with Martinez scoring his 3rd touchdown and putting the score to 21-12. The Pirates would score one TD late to make it 21-19, but it would be too late as Miami would recover the onside kick and win the game. "The 3rd quarter play was not acceptable. We can't be having 3 interceptions in a quarter. If we do that in most games we are going to lose. Luckily our D came up with some big stops and an interception on a couple of them," said Dealer. The Canes will travel to Marshall for their week 4 game.
ECU rolled into Week 3 with swagger and a 2-0 start to the season. In order to beat Miami the Pirates would have to match Miami's intensity and swagger as well.
First half of the game the Hurricanes controlled the game and the clock. Miami's Martinez ran ramped on ECU scoring 2 td's. ECU was able to put together a couple of drives but Miami defense stiffened and allowed only 2 fg's.
Even though down 14-6 at the half the Hurricanes were in control.
ECU Defense came out in the 3rd quarter like a unit with a mission. Recording 3 int's and Brown-Murray would return one of those int's 86 yardes for a td. ECU's attempt at 2 point conversion failed trying to tie the game at 14.
Miami got the turnovers under control and Martinez would score his 3rd td of the game halfway through the 4th qtr. The ECU offense had one last drive in them, scoring on a 2 yd td run by Rahj Harris.
ECU was not able to get the onside kick and Miami escapes with a hard fought victory, 21-19.
One turning point in the game for ECU was a pass interference call on Miami's last scoring drive that kept that drive going. What might have been if not for that mental error on ECU's part.
The schedule doesn't let up as ECU travels to Indiana to take on the Hoosiers in Week 4.
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