EAST HARTFORD, Ct. — It’s back to the drawing board for the East Carolina football coaching staff after dropping its second consecutive conference test, 31-13, against Connecticut.

The Pirates’ (4-5, 2-3 American Athletic Conference) defense struggled in the second half as the Huskies struck for 21 points. UConn running back Arkee Newman slipped through the ECU defense all night on his way to a season-high 179 yards and two scores on the ground.

The ECU offense failed to get anything going under starting quarterback James Summers. The junior rushed for 18 yards on 12 attempts and threw for 87 yards and an interception on 12-for-21 throwing.

Blake Kemp relieved Summers with 1:51 left in the third quarter and was picked off on his second play from scrimmage. However, trailing 24-6 and staring down the start of the fourth, Kemp was backed into a corner and did not have many options.

ECU’s ensuing possession, the first of the fourth quarter, also ended with a Kemp interception. He finished with three picks on the day and the team threw four. The Huskie offense failed to capitalize on either turnover, but was comfortable enough after pulling away in the third.

Halfway through the third, ECU was trailing just 10-6 to UConn, but a late-quarter burst aided the UConn victory. Midway through the third, ECU head coach Ruffin McNeill made a call to go for it on fourth-and-eight from UConn’s 33-yard line. Summers was sacked on the play and the Huskies had a short field to work with.

UConn responded with a methodical possession, capped off by a 23-yard passing touchdown from Bryant Shirreffs to Alec Bloom with 3:38 left in the quarter. After an ECU three-and-out, the Huskies took the ball on their own 10-yard line. With 1:51 left in the quarter, Newsome broke off a 90-yard run on the first play of the drive up the right sideline and put UConn up, 24-6.

ECU scored first as a Shirreffs’ pass was picked off by defensive back DaShawn Benton. ECU took its only lead of the game with 5:15 left in first.

Marquez Grayson made his first appearance of the season late in the game. He was the leading rusher on nine attempts with 87 yards and set up a late Kemp rushing touchdown.