It was tantalizingly close.
Old Dominion University's football team pulled within 3 points of East Carolina with a little more than two minutes left when Kesean Strong leaped over a pair of ECU defenders for a 1-yard touchdown run. Quarterback Smartt, who set up the touchdown with a 45 yard pass, then handed off to Strong for the 2-point conversion.
But ODU's attempted onside kick was recovered by the ECU's C.J. Johnson and the Pirates used good time management to run out the clock to claim a 24-21 victory Saturday night at S.B. Ballard Stadium.
ODU was without three of its best offensive players, including wide receiver Eric Kumah and running back LaLa Davis, the Monarchs' top pass receiving and rushing threats.