East Carolina 35, Appalachian State 13: Lance Ray returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown and Rio Johnson threw two touchdown passes as the host Pirates pulled away in the second half.
The Pirates (1-0) broke open a 14-13 game late in the third quarter, after Drew Stewartâ??s 41-yard field goal pulled the Mountaineers (0-1) within one point. Ray returned the ensuing kickoff and Warren Harveyâ??s extra point gave East Carolina a 21-13 advantage with 2:19 left in the quarter.
Johnson found Justin Hardy for a 4-yard touchdown with 14:19 to go, and Johnson’s 6-yard run made it 35-13 Pirates with 8:28 remaining.
Appalachian State scored first on quarterback Jamal Jacksonâ??s 4-yard touchdown run with 8:31 left in the first quarter.
The Piratesâ?? defense tied the game early in the second quarter, as Chip Thompson recovered a fumble and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown. Harveyâ??s extra point made it 7-7 with 13:26 left in the opening half.
East Carolina took a 14-7 lead with 7:59 left in the half on Johnsonâ??s 11-yard touchdown pass to Andrew Bodenheimer. The Mountaineers pulled within 14-10 on Stewartâ??s 26-yard field goal on the final play of the first half.
Johnson finished 28-for-43 passing for 242 yards.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Jackson passed for 300 yards. WR Tony Washington caught seven passes for 102 yards. â? ECU has won the past six meetings with the Mountaineers, dating to 1976. Appalachian State leads the series 19-12. â? The Pirates finished 9-for-16 on third-down conversions.
