GREENVILLE, N.C. — North Carolina Central had no answer for East Carolina’s offensive explosion Saturday afternoon, as the Pirates overwhelmed the Eagles 42-9 at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
N.C. Central opened the scoring with a 39-yard field goal from freshman Riley Daniels, but the lead lasted only briefly. East Carolina answered with a touchdown run by TJ Engleman Jr. to take a 7-3 advantage after one quarter.
Then the game got away from the Eagles.
East Carolina erupted for 35 points in the second quarter, scoring five touchdowns to turn a four-point game into a 42-3 halftime rout.
Emory Williams spearheaded the Pirates’ offensive attack in his first start of the season. The Miami transfer completed 25 of 36 passes for 341 yards and three touchdowns, spreading the ball to 11 different receivers.
Engleman was equally devastating on the ground, rushing for 129 yards and two touchdowns on just 10 carries. He also caught an 8-yard touchdown pass, giving him three total touchdowns. His biggest play came late in the first half when he broke loose for an 88-yard touchdown run.
East Carolina defensive back Ayden Duncanson added to the avalanche with a 20-yard interception return for a touchdown just 20 seconds after Engleman’s long touchdown run.
N.C. Central’s defense did manage to force four turnovers, including three fumble recoveries and an interception, but the Eagles could not turn those takeaways into enough points.
The Eagles finally found the end zone late in the fourth quarter when Cobey Thompkins connected with Nasim Cosby on a 10-yard touchdown pass, but by then the outcome had long been decided.
Final Score
| Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final |
| N.C. Central | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 9 |
| East Carolina | 7 | 35 | 0 | 0 | 42 |
N.C. Central falls to 2-3 on the season. The Eagles return home next Saturday to host Campbell.
East Carolina improves to 2-2 and now heads into its open date before hosting Rice on Oct. 10.
What We Know
- Final: East Carolina 42, N.C. Central 9
- Halftime: ECU 42, NCCU 3
- Second quarter: ECU outscored NCCU 35-0
- ECU QB Emory Williams: 25/36, 341 yards, 3 TD
- ECU RB TJ Engleman Jr.: 129 rushing yards, 2 rushing TD; 1 receiving TD
- ECU WR Ray Ray Joseph Jr.: 10 receptions, 141 yards
- NCCU forced: 4 turnovers
- NCCU record: 2-3
- ECU record: 2-2
