But East Carolina, which came to Scott Stadium on Saturday in hopes of turning a new leaf, remained stuck in a state of demise.

Vexed by Virginia's big plays and a back-breaking trick play, plus its own offensive inconsistency, the Pirates lost for the third straight time, 35-20, after starting the season 3-0.

"It's an emotional roller coaster,'' said ECU's Dwayne Harris, who tried in vain to stop the downward run with 261 all-purpose yards.

The Pirates led 6-0 after two interceptions and two Ben Hartman field goals, then watched Virginia score 28 consecutive points.

With ECU seemingly dead, Harris revived his team with a 59-yard kickoff return to start the second half. Patrick Pinkney and the offense then got on track to cut the Cavs' advantage to 28-20 early in the fourth period.

Suspense and tension engulfed the sea of orange-clad UVa fans among the 52,398. Minutes later they exhaled when Pinkney fumbled under pressure at the Pirates' 24-yard-line, setting up a "SportsCenter" highlight for the Cavs.

Lining up for an apparent field goal, UVa holder Scott Deke -- a backup quarterback -- instead lobbed a pass to a wide-open John Phillips on the left flank for a 12-yard TD. It was premature Halloween trickery and left the chasing Pirates in a position of no return.

"When I saw them rushing players in and out, go to a hurry-up mode, I should have called a timeout," said coach Skip Holtz, sensing Virginia's Al Groh might have something up his orange-sweatshirt sleeve. "As players were going on and off, he [Phillips] just stayed out there."

Groh credited special teams coach Bob Diaco with the idea for the fake field goal.

Deception wasn't the only strategy employed by Virginia, which created solid run-pass balance to gain 430 yards, win its second straight game and move to 3-3.

"It's about growth,'' said Groh, whose team looked like an ACC doormat just three weeks ago. "We have young players gaining experience."

After ECU failed to capitalize on early touchdown opportunities following interceptions by Jerek Hewitt and J.J. Millbrook, the Cavs started hitting home runs.

Cedric Peerman scored on runs of 79 and 60 yards en route to a 173-yard rushing day. Once he turned the corners, tightroped a short distance, then accelerated, ECU defensive coordinator Greg Hudson couldn't have caught him on his Harley-Davidson.

Those Peerman maneuvers came in the first half, when quarterback Marc Verica also threw a 30-yard TD pass to Kevin Ogletree.

"Defensively, we can't give up the big plays," Holtz said. "Take those three plays out and you take away 21 points. Offensively, we did some good things, but we are not nearly efficient enough. Our biggest problem is we are just not consistent enough."

Holtz lamented the fact his Pirates couldn't muster TDs following the first-half interceptions, settling instead for the two field goals that stung, but didn't stagger, Virginia.

As for ECU's "good things," Holtz lauded laboring Jonathan Williams, who ran hard and gained 95 yards on 19 carries. Then there was Harris catching six passes for 128 yards, plus rushing for 20 and returning for 113.

Pinkney also had his moments, throwing for 196 yards on 12-for-28 accuracy. But he took six sacks from the attacking UVa defense and also lost two fumbles.

The Pirates had two weeks to recover from a loss to Houston and prepare for the improving Cavaliers. Maybe they needed more time.

"Our players continued to fight," Holtz said. "I'm proud of how hard they compete. Our comeback came up short."

It ended with Pinkney on his back, swarmed under and sacked one last time in the final seconds.

Once more, Pinkney and his Pirates will try to get back up and get ready for a Conference USA season that continues next week at home against Memphis.

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