Pirates can't stop Kentucky rally

MEMPHIS — Once more, they needed that late-game magic.

Once more, they needed for somebody to complete a key pass, kick a field goal, or run a kick back.

But this time East Carolina’s Pirates — who  had won five games in the final minutes — couldn’t locate that hero. So after leading 16-3 at halftime, they lost 25-19 to resilient Kentucky in the 50th Liberty Bowl Friday night.

The beginning couldn’t have been much better for the Pirates, and the ending couldn’t have been more bitter.

With the score tied 19-19, ECU’s Norman Whitley fumbled and Wildcats defensive end Ventrell Jenkins rumbled 56 yards for the winning touchdown.

That unusual sight -- a 6-2, 285-pounder rambling down the sidelines like a big return man -- created a roar among Cat fans in the crowd of 56,125, and sent the Pirates away singing the Beale Street blues.

The loss left the Conference-USA champion Pirates with a final 9-5 record and blighted somewhat an impressive performance by quarterback Patrick Pinkney, receiver Darry Freeney, who was voted ECU’s outstanding offensive player, and Nick Johnson, selected as the team’s top defensive performer.

With a 16-3 lead, Kentucky needed igniting. So David Jones ran the second-half kickoff back 99 yards as the Wildcats forged toward a 16-16 tie in a game that included three blocked extra points -- 2 by ECU’s Linval Joseph and one by a ‘Cats player.

All that loomed big in the end.

While Jenkins made highlight tapes with his run, Kentucky’s Mike Hartline -- back starting after losing his job with four games remaining -- got in the groove and helped counter Pinkney’s productivity.