The temperature dipped in Memphis where the Liberty Bowl was played and so did the quality of ECU's kicking game. It eventually cost them the game as they missed 3 FGs of less than 40 yards in the final minute of the game and OT.
If you had told Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino at the half that the game would go into OT eventually, he would have taken it in a heartbeat. Cos ECU completely outplayed them in the first half and led 10-0. What the score does not reveal is that ECU controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball against Arkansas, something we also saw in the UConn - South Carolina game.
The second half was another story as ECU came out throwing 2 INTs and Arkansas capitalized with 10 points. ECU then marched down the field to score a TD on a beautiful slant pass from QB Pinkney to WR Harris only to see Arkansas score quickly on a long TD bomb from Arkansas QB Ryan Mallet. That was the only flash of brilliance shown by the much touted Mallett. He was 15 of 36 for 202 yards but what the stats do not reveal is that he was totally ineffective on critical 3rd down throws. Arkansas was 0 for 13 on 3rd downs.
Neither team moved the ball well in OT. The difference is that Arkansas made their FG and ECU did not.
