TAMPA — They really didn’t have to play the second half. ECU fans knew the script. The No. 19-ranked Pirates were trailing 17-7 to South Florida, a team they had never beaten, in front of a road attendance almost as sloppy as the penalty-riddled game itself. ECU committed five personal fouls by the break. USF was on the attack offensively, breaking enough tackles in the running game to make ECU safeties bite on the play action. It had all the makings of the loss at Tulane in 2013 or the loss to UTEP in 2011. The list goes on. But there is just something slightly different about this Pirate team.

This team is led by Brandon and Terry Williams, Josh Hawkins, Zeek Bigger, Taylor Hudson, Breon Allen and, oh yeah — Shane Carden and Justin Hardy.

Led by its star seniors and an inspired coaching effort, ECU outscored the Bulls, 21-0 in the second half to run away with a 28-17 road win — its first ever in American Athletic Conference play.

Carden didn’t post his typical videogame numbers, but he made plays when ECU needed them most: on third down with his legs, on fourth down with his arm and on just about every drive in the second half. The Texas native orchestrated three consecutive scoring drives to start the second half that took the wind out of a sparse but inspired crowd of 31,000 in Raymond James Stadium.

Carden finished his night 24-for-34 for 250 yards, one touchdown and one interception and Hardy reeled in 10 grabs for 114 yards. But it was on the ground where ECU really established its rhythm.

The Pirates rushed 37 times for 231 yards and three touchdowns — one of them from starter Breon Allen (18 rushes for 124 yards), who also hauled in Carden’s lone touchdown pass for 35 yards to open ECU scoring. Redshirt freshman Marquez Grayson rushed five times for 42 yards and a touchdown and true freshman Anthony Scott broke open a 20-yard touchdown scamper to finish all scoring.

USF started hot in the first half, establishing the run with freshman Melvin Mack, then scoring on a 51-yard play action pass from quarterback Mike White to receiver Andre Davis (six catches for 124 yards). ECU tied it up two drives later on the Carden to Allen connection, but USF would add a touchdown and field goal before the half with the help of some costly Pirate penalties.

ECU finished with 12 penalties for a season-high 128 yards, breaking the previous mark of 13 fouls for 114 at Virginia Tech. The Pirates, one of the most penalized teams in the FBS, remarkably found a way to escape with wins in both of those games.

The ECU defense, led by former USF Defensive Coordinator, stole the show in the second half. The unit pitched a shutout, stopping the run and forcing the inconsistent passing attack of the Bulls to carry the load.

ECU advanced to 5-1 and 2-0 in AAC play, while USF fell to 2-4 and 1-1 in the league. The Pirates should move up a few spots in Sunday’s AP Poll.

Considering the sloppy nature of the game, and the fact that it was the conference road debut, the Pirates should feel good about just surviving with a two-possession win and advancing to their second bye week. ECU returns to action Thursday, Oct. 23 at home against Connecticut (1-5, 0-3).