Gulley’s pick-six finishes UAB’s 30-17 overtime comeback against East Carolina

Delvon Gulley caught the pass that ended East Carolina's night, then kept running. His 80-yard interception return for a touchdown finished UAB's 30-17 overtime victory Thursday in Birmingham, completing a comeback that had looked unlikely with less than two minutes left in regulation.

The Blazers trailed 17-9 when they took possession at their own 7-yard line with 1:37 remaining. Ryder Burton drove them downfield, found Bam McReynolds for a 17-yard touchdown with 35 seconds left and ran in the two-point conversion to tie the game.

UAB then scored first in overtime on Burton's six-yard pass to Rod Robinson II. East Carolina's answer lasted three plays: an Emory Williams run, a Blanche Gold sack and Gulley's interception on third down. The return turned a seven-point overtime lead into the final 13-point margin.

Burton finds the passes UAB needs

Burton completed 19 of 37 passes for 262 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. The passing game delivered its most important work after the Pirates appeared to have protected an eight-point lead with a punt inside the UAB 10.

On the tying drive, Burton connected with Sean Persson, Ty Mims and CJ Smith to move the chains. Mims added a 20-yard catch to put the ball at the East Carolina 17. Burton's next completion went to McReynolds for the touchdown, leaving the quarterback to supply the conversion himself.

Smith finished with eight receptions for 119 yards and also caught an 18-yard pass on third down during UAB's overtime touchdown drive. Mims had three catches for 47 yards. Robinson's two receptions produced 22 yards and the go-ahead overtime score.

The result rewarded a defense that kept the deficit manageable while the Blazers struggled to reach the end zone. UAB did not score a touchdown until the last minute of regulation. Jonah Delange made field goals from 41, 26 and 50 yards, accounting for all nine of the team's points before the final drive.

East Carolina cannot finish its early lead

East Carolina scored the game's first 14 points. Williams hit Ray Ray Joseph Jr. for a three-yard touchdown on the opening possession. Dawson Quarterman recovered a teammate's fumble in the end zone early in the second quarter to double the lead.

The Pirates still led 14-3 at halftime. Noah Perez's 43-yard field goal with 9:24 left in the fourth quarter pushed the margin to 17-9, but their offense produced no further points.

TJ Engleman Jr. carried 26 times for 104 yards. Williams threw for 126 yards, and East Carolina finished with 185 rushing yards and 311 total yards. UAB gained 361 yards and committed no turnovers; the Pirates lost a fumble and threw the interception that ended the game.

UAB improved to 4-3 overall and 2-1 in the American Conference. East Carolina fell to 3-3 and 1-1.

Sources

East Carolina at UAB: final box score and complete plays