East Carolina quarterback Jeff Blake and All-America linebacker Robert Jones saved their best for last.
The seniors had big games as the ninth-ranked Pirates came from behind Wednesday to defeat rival North Carolina State 37-34. East Carolina scored 20 points in a 5:54 span late in the final quarter for the victory before a record Peach Bowl crowd of 59,322.East Carolina (11-1) capped the finest season in its history, winning 11 in a row after an opening loss to Illinois and going to a bowl game for the first time since 1978. The 11 victories are the most ever in a single season for the Pirates.
"This was the biggest game any of us has ever had the opportunity to be a part of for players or coaches, and I mean that," coach Bill Lewis said. "It's the most fun I've ever had."
It was for Blake, too.
Blake, seventh in the Heisman trophy balloting, had his finest day ever, completing 31 of 51 passes for 378 yards - both school records - and four touchdowns. He also scored on a 2-yard run and won offensive MVP honors.
Jones took defensive MVP honors with 16 tackles, a blocked extra point, a fumble recovery and an interception.
The winning TD came on a 22-yard pass with 1:32 left when Blake connected with Luke Fisher, who caught the ball on the 5 and dived into the end zone. Fisher finished with a career-high 12 catches for 144 yards.
The 24th-ranked Wolfpack (9-3) then drove downfield, but Damon Hartman's 49-yard field goal attempt for a tie went wide right as time ran out.
"After the ball went up, I just prayed that he missed it," Jones said. "When it went wide, it was the greatest feeling I've ever had."
But Blake didn't have a good feeling after the Wolfpack took a 34-17 lead early in the final period when fullback Ledel George threw a 52-yard touchdown pass to Charles Davenport, who had six catches for 118 yards. .
"Yeah. I was scared," Blake said. "I think anybody would be scared in that situation. But that's just a part of life. We never gave up, and that's what I'll remember."
"Obviously, this is a big disappointment to all of us," said N.C. State coach Dick Sheridan, who took the Wolfpack to its fifth bowl game in his six seasons.
The two schools severed their 18-year series in 1987 when fans were involved in a near-riot after the Pirates' 32-14 victory.