GREENVILLE, N.C. (Interstat) — East Carolina defeated visiting North Carolina Central 42-9 on Saturday at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, as Emory Williams threw for 341 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Pirates. Williams, a quarterback from Milton, Florida, completed 25 of 36 passes. East Carolina scored 35 points in the first quarter and added seven more later, while North Carolina Central scored three points in the first quarter and six in the third. Cobey Thompkins passed for 108 yards and added 11 rushing yards with a touchdown for the Eagles. Nelson Layne threw for 65 yards. Joshua Maxwell made four tackles for North Carolina Central, Cameron Williams added three tackles and a quarterback hurry, Tevin Tucker had six tackles, Joshua Truesdale made eight, and Zarion Walters recorded four tackles and a sack. Jasiyah Robinson had 3 tackles and 2.5 sacks for East Carolina, while Preston Carr had four tackles and half a sack. Angelo Ross intercepted a pass for the Pirates. East Carolina improved to 2-2, and North Carolina Central fell to 2-3. The game was an NCAA Football Bowl Division contest.