East Carolina crowned

TULSA, Okla. – Ben Hartman kicked a 36-yard field goal with 1:43 remaining, and East Carolina took advantage of seven turnovers to beat Tulsa 27-24 Saturday in the Conference USA championship game for its first league title in 32 years.

The Pirates (9-4), who made a splash early this season with back-to-back upsets of Top 25 teams Virginia Tech and West Virginia, earned a berth in the Liberty Bowl.

East Carolina used the league’s best defense to create havoc for David Johnson, the nation’s top-rated passer. Johnson threw a career-high five interceptions, including one that was returned 72 yards for a touchdown by Travis Simmons, and also fumbled.