GREENVILLE — For sheer game-ending drama, East Carolina's 51-49 win over Tulsa on Sunday may be unmatched in Pirate athletic history. Dominique Davis hit Justin Jones for a 33-yard touchdown on fourth down as time expired to transform the pall of defeat at expanded Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium into a celebratory aura of victory.

It was a final act befitting the alma mater of Oscar-winning actress Sandra Bullock.

It was Ruffin McNeill's first game as head coach. There was a national television audience. An addition of 7,000 seats at the East end of Bagwell Field made possible a crowd of 50,010, the second largest ever for an ECU home game. The winning play was made just in front of the new student section, which has been dubbed, "The Boneyard." The inhabitants were so rowdy that rows of metal bleachers came loose from their bolts.

The stage was certainly set. Tulsa had taken a 49-45 lead with just 1:22 remaining.

"That was the greatest experience of my life," said Davis, whose resume already included some shining moments from stints at Boston College and Ft. Scott Community College earlier in his career.

The new ECU quarterback went prone after the play.

"There were people in the stands who probably thought it was over," Davis said. "But I told the team, 'Just trust.' As soon as I let it go, I knew he was going to catch it. When he caught it, I just fell out. I was so shocked and happy."

The Pirates routinely practice the play, which is called Big Ben. Jones' 6-foot-8 frame provides a large target. Capable receivers Dwayne Harris and Lance Lewis are positioned near Jones in case there is a catchable carom from the big guy.

"It works a lot in practice," McNeill said.

There were three receivers lined up on the right. The lone wideout on the left ran a streak to the end zone but Davis never looked at him.

"It was really just a vertical," said Jones, a redshirt freshman, of his route. "I had to let Lance (Lewis) go in front of me and let Dwayne (Harris) go around me. Really I'm just kind of like the middle man. I just go in a straight line. Just run and jump, that's all it was."

Jones descended into a sort of a rugby scrum with teammates and Golden Hurricane defenders.

"I came down and I knew I had caught it," Jones said. "The Tulsa guys were trying to strip me and get the ball out. I was just really focused on protecting it. I put both my arms over it and held on to it until the dogpile got off of me. Then I was able to hold it up for the fans and stuff."

The officials had to confirm the touchdown call on video review and the Pirates had to snap the ball on the conversion after a celebration penalty before the game was actually over.

"I'm proud of the kids and the way they kept fighting," McNeill said.

The Pirates moved to 1-0 in Conference USA with the huge exclamation point coming at 5:58 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time.

Luke Fisher's winning touchdown catch in the Peach Bowl win over N.C. State to cap the 1991 season certainly was clutch but it didn't come on the last play of the game. Ben Hartman booted a couple of game-ending, game-winning field goals during the 2007 season against North Carolina and Boise State, the latter in the Hawaii Bowl, but a medium range field goal with the score tied does not involve the same degree of difficulty as what ECU accomplished in its 2010 season opener.

The Pirate basketball team has had some memorable home wins over the likes of Louisville, Marquette and the Wolfpack but none came down to executing on a final play. The closest thing that comes to mind in terms of game-finishing drama was the walkoff baseball win in the regional final against South Carolina in 2009 — but that wasn't on national television.

And speaking of television, it will be interesting to see where the Pirates' closing heroics will rank on SportsCenter's top plays on ESPN today.

The final touchdown pass made the 27th birthday of new offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley a special occasion. Davis was asked if he would have to get the OC/quarterbacks coach a birthday present.

"That was his present right there," Davis said.

It was a unique home football game on Sunday at ECU and it ended with a prayerful heave to the heavens, a Sabbath petition that was answered in Jones' waiting arms.

Hail Mary. And, Amen.