Highlights, key plays and photos from BYU’s 27-24 loss to East Carolina

The Deseret News is providing live coverage from Friday night’s game between BYU and East Carolina. Check back for updates throughout the game.

Score: East Carolina 27, BYU 24

Fourth quarter

0:00

Andrew Conrad nailed a straight-ahead 33-yard field goal, and East Carolina wins the game on the final play of the game. East Carolina 27, BYU 24.

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That’s four straight losses for BYU, perhaps none more gutpunching than this one.

The Pirates got the ball back with just over two minutes remaining and moved into position, aided by a costly Cougar penalty.

East Carolina went for it on a fourth-and-8 at the BYU 37, and BYU’s Kaleb Hayes was called for a pass interference on the pass downfield. That set ECU up in field goal position.

3:54

What is with this defensive stop madness?

This time, East Carolina faced a fourth-and-1 at the BYU 9 and went for it, but the Cougars stuffed Keaton Mitchell for no gain.

BYU gets this one back with the chance to take the lead.

6:47

East Carolina came up with a second straight stop on fourth down, and this one gives the Pirates prime field position.

Jaren Hall was stopped on a fourth-and-1 for no gain at the BYU 44, and was upheld after review.

That came after Hall picked up a first down on a third-and-short, but it was called back because of a holding penalty.

BYU needs its defense to come up with a huge stop.

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9:59

Now it’s BYU with the big stop.

East Carolina’s Andrew Conrad missed a 42-yard field goal attempt that would have given the Pirates the lead, ending a 10-play, 63-yard drive with no points.

For the beleaguered BYU defense, it’s a nice moment to come up with a stop in a key moment.

14:12

East Carolina got a huge stop, stuffing Miles Davis for no gain on a fourth-and-2 try inside the Pirates 15.

BYU had the ball for nearly 8 minutes, but getting no points on that drive is costly.

Third quarter

7:07

Just like that, East Carolina responded to another BYU score with one of its own — it’s becoming a back-and-forth pattern tonight.

The Pirates drove 75 yards in just six plays before quarterback Holton Ahlers ran for his second touchdown of the night, a 4-yarder on second-and-goal. BYU 24, East Carolina 24.

The Pirates had back-to-back plays of 26 and 21 yards to get the drive going.

9:58

BYU used a time-consuming drive — taking 5:02 off the clock — to go back up a touchdown on the first series of the second half.

The Cougars capped the 11-play, 75-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass from Jaren Hall to Chase Roberts, Hall’s second TD pass of the game. BYU 24, East Carolina 17.

Hall picked up a first down with his legs on a third-and-6 to extend the drive.

Second quarter

2:42

A 1-yard touchdown run from ECU quarterback Holton Ahlers tied the game back up late in the second quarter. BYU 17, East Carolina 17.

Keaton Mitchell broke off a 35-yard run to spark the drive, which covered 68 yards. Mitchell already has 106 yards rushing in the game, using his speed and run savvy to burn the Cougars.

6:01

BYU’s offense finally got into a rhythm both in the run and pass game and the Cougars are back out in front.

Jaren Hall, who used his feet and his arm on a 79-yard scoring drive, hit a wide open Puka Nacua for a 30-yard touchdown run for BYU’s second straight TD drive. BYU 17, East Carolina 10.

Hall set the score up with back-to-back carries of 23 and 15 yards, including the 15-yarder to convert a third-and-13 situation.

9:15

It’s a tie game after East Carolina drove 69 yards in eight plays and scored on a 23-yard field goal from Andrew Conrad. BYU 10, East Carolina 10.

Poor tackling on a 51-yard catch and run by Jsi Hatfield got East Carolina deep into Cougar territory, though the BYU defense got the stop inside the 10 to set up the field goal.

12:56

BYU is back out in front, capping a 92-yard scoring drive with a 24-yard Lopini Katoa touchdown run. BYU 10, East Carolina 7.

Katoa ran for 48 yards on the drive, including a 24-yard carry that got BYU into ECU territory.

The duo of Katoa and Miles Davis — who had a 16-yard carry on the 10-play drive — have helped the Cougars put up 104 rushing yards already.

First quarter

6:29

That’s a great reaction from East Carolina, marching 75 yards in six plays to take the lead on a Keith Mitchell 31-yard touchdown run. East Carolina 7, BYU 3.

The Pirates had four plays of 10 or more yards on that quick drive.

8:36

There’s a positive sign for the BYU kicking game — Jake Oldroyd caps the Cougars’ first drive with a 36-yard field goal. BYU 3, East Carolina 0.

Two ECU penalties on a fourth-down attempt helped get the Cougars into scoring range on a nine-play, 41-yard drive where BYU ran the ball seven times.

Pregame

Here’s the latest injury news for the Cougars, per the Deseret News’ Jay Drew:

Here are a few stories to get you ready for the game: