UCF overcomes East Carolina rally with Hail Mary on final play for 32-30 win and AAC title
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Breshad Perriman hauled in a 51-yard touchdown pass on a Hail Mary from Justin Holman on the final play of the game, lifting Central Florida over East Carolina 32-30 on Thursday night to claim a share of the American Athletic Conference title.
Entering the fourth quarter with a 26-9 lead, the Knights (9-3, 7-1) allowed three touchdown passes from East Carolina's Shane Carden. His 13-yard score to Justin Hardy rallied the Pirates (8-4, 5-3) to a 30-26 lead with 2:17 remaining. Holman's fourth-and-20 pass on the ensuing drive was incomplete.
Carden kneeled three times and took a sack on fourth down, giving the Knights the ball back with 10 seconds left. Holman connected with Josh Reese for 14 yards to get near midfield. Holman then threw a bomb and Perriman got behind two leaping defenders to haul in the game-winner and help UCF join Memphis (9-3, 7-1) as co-conference champions.