GREENVILLE — Quarterback Emory Williams on Saturday helped free a previously jammed offense during his first start for East Carolina.
The fourth-year transfer threw a career-best three touchdowns, all in the first half, to help ECU blow past visiting North Carolina Central 42-9. It marked a second straight win for the Pirates (2-2), who ended with season highs in just about every offensive category, including 489 yards from scrimmage.
Williams, a backup at Miami the past three seasons, finished 25-of-36 for 341 yards and one interception in place of Mitch Griffis, who started the first three games this fall.
"Just been thinking about what's the best combination for our football team? … It felt like just a slight little changeup may help us get a little momentum tonight, and it certainly did," Pirates coach Blake Harrell said of his QB1 decision, which came midweek.
After fumbling on the goal line during ECU's opening possession, Williams led four consecutive scoring marches.
T.J. Engleman Jr. capped a four-play drive using his 5-yard TD run with 4:39 left in the first, putting the Pirates up 7-3. Engleman for the second straight contest set a new career mark, this time totaling 129 yards on just 10 totes.
Williams' first TD pass as a Pirate came just moments into the second period. On second-and-goal from the 6, he found Greenville native Michael Allen in the flat to help put ECU ahead 14-3. Minutes later, Williams found Engleman on an 8-yard scoring connection that grew their margin to 21-3.
Midway through the period, his final touchdown toss came on a trick play, that eventually landed into the hands of Kanen Hamlett to make it a 28-3 advantage.
"Really, just doing the simple things right," Williams said of the offense's successes. "I did have two turnovers, that's on me — lackadaisical with my ball security. But, overall I thought we were executing and being very efficient, and we weren't beating ourselves."
Just before the half, Engleman got loose for an 88-yard sprint to pay dirt, then Pirates safety Ayden Duncanson logged his second pick-6 in as many weeks to put them up 42-3.
The ECU defense tallied three interceptions, with Angelo Ross and Myles Pollard each picking one off, and eight sacks.
Veteran end Jasiyah Robinson finished with 2.5 sacks, while teammate D.J. Johnson collected a team-best 10 tackles and also ended with 2.5 stops in the backfield. J.D. Lampley, who this week was granted a fifth year of eligibility from an Indiana circuit court, also logged 2.5 tackles for loss as a starter up front.
The only second-half score for either side came with ticks left in the fourth. NCCU backup QB Cobey Thompkins found Nasim Cosby for a 10-yard TD connection, that made it 42-9 and followed with a blocked extra-point attempt.
ECU sits out next week, then welcomes Rice on Oct. 10 for its American Conference opener.
"All in all, to get back in the win column ... getting ready to go attack conference play — we're moving in the right direction," Harrell said. "You always want to catch a little bit of momentum, catch a little bit of forward pace and identity of who you are, and I thought we did that tonight.
Up next
North Carolina Central: Plays host to Campbell on Saturday.
East Carolina: At home Oct. 10 against Rice.