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No. 17 Cincinnati football narrowly avoids upset at East Carolina

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Cincinnati football coach Luke Fickell previews UC's matchup with ECU on Saturday. Fletcher Page, fpage@enquirer..com

GREENVILLE, North Carolina – Cincinnati football's march toward the AAC title game took an unexpected detour Saturday.

The No. 17 Bearcats defeated East Carolina 46-43, overcoming a 12-point fourth-quarter deficit and winning with a 32-yard field goal by Sam Crosa as time expired.

The Pirates led 40-28 deep in the second half, fueled by quarterback Holton Ahler's five total touchdowns and school-record 535 yards passing and receiver CJ Johnson's AAC-record 283 yards receiving.