GREENVILLE, N.C. (Interstat) — Appalachian State held off East Carolina 27-24 on Saturday in a NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision game at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. The Mountaineers improved to 2-0, while the Pirates fell to 0-2. Appalachian State built its win with 14 first-quarter points, 10 in the second and three in the third. East Carolina answered with three in the first, seven in the second, seven in the third and seven in the fourth. Malachi Singleton directed Appalachian State’s offense, and Mitch Griffis led East Carolina’s comeback effort. Kieran Davis, Zyeir Gamble, Kevon Merrell Jr. and Ashton Levells-Mitchell contributed defensively for East Carolina. Griffis threw a 61-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter and a late 7-yard scoring pass. Noah Perez made a 33-yard field goal and converted kicks, while Appalachian State’s kicking game produced a 41-yard field goal and other scores. Appalachian State next hosts Charlotte, and East Carolina visits Old Dominion.