BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — East Carolina won its first classic Conference USA shootout of the season on Saturday night at UAB, emerging from a game-long, see-saw battle with a late scoring surge for an eventual 42-35 victory at Legion Field.

ECU trailed by a point at the end of the first half, then fell behind again in the second, 28-27, before Justin Hardy’s acrobatic leaping catch amid double coverage in the end zone followed by a Vintavious Cooper two-point conversion afforded the Pirates (5-3, 4-1 C-USA) a 35-28 lead.

After a big stop by the ECU defense, Cooper (172 rush yards) capped his huge game with his third touchdown of the night to expand the lead to two touchdowns.

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