East Carolina accepted an invitation to the bowl after their victory over the Tulsa Golden Hurricane in the 2008 C-USA Championship Game.[2] East Carolina entered the game with a record of 9-4 and had been ranked as high as No. 15 in the AP Poll during the season.[3] Kentucky was 6–6 and unranked.
Game summary[]
East Carolina led through much of the game. However, late in the fourth quarter, Kentucky defensive tackle Ventrell Jenkins picked up a fumble and returned it 56 yards for the game-winning touchdown. Jenkins was named the MVP of the game.[4] The fumble recovery and return, marked by a vicious stiff arm Jenkins put on the opposing quarterback, received generous replay during bowl game broadcasts.[5]
Scoring summary[]
Scoring Play
Score
1st Quarter
ECU - Ben Hartman 22-yard FG, 5:25
ECU 3-0
2nd Quarter
ECU - Brandon Simmons 28-yard TD run (Hartman kick), 14:14
ECU 10-0
UK - Lones Seiber 21-yard FG, 8:59
ECU 10-3
ECU - Darryl Freeney 80-yard TD pass from Patrick Pinkney (kick blocked), 8:47
ECU 16-3
3rd Quarter
UK - David Jones 99-yard kickoff return (kick blocked), 14:48
ECU 16-9
UK - Kyrus Lanxster 19-yard TD pass from Mike Hartline (Seiber kick), 8:13
Tie 16-16
ECU - Hartman 43-yard FG, :06
ECU 19-16
4th Quarter
UK - Seiber 34-yard FG, 14:07
Tie 19-19
UK - Ventrell Jenkins 56-yard fumble return (kick blocked), 3:02