Engleman and Williams turn ECU’s comeback into a 28–12 win over Rice

East Carolina answered Rice's brief third-quarter lead with three consecutive touchdowns, using Emory Williams' passing and TJ Engleman Jr.'s running to win 28–12 Saturday at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium in its American Conference opener.

The Pirates improved to 3–2 overall and began league play with a victory after their open week. Rice fell to 1–5 and 0–2 in the conference. For ECU, a game that was still separated by a touchdown entering the fourth quarter changed quickly: two scores within the opening three minutes of that period put it beyond Rice's reach.

Williams connected with Ray Ray Joseph Jr. for touchdowns of 22 and 6 yards. The first gave ECU a 7–0 lead in the opening quarter. The second restored the Pirates' advantage after Tyvonn Byars had put Rice ahead with a 23-yard touchdown run early in the third. Rice's extra-point attempt was blocked, leaving the Owls ahead 9–7.

ECU responded with a long possession rather than an immediate explosive play. Its 17-play, 75-yard drive consumed more than eight minutes and ended with Williams finding Joseph from 6 yards. The Pirates carried a 14–9 lead into the final quarter, then Engleman supplied the afternoon's longest ECU scoring run: a 43-yard touchdown that extended the margin to 21–9.

Williams added a 12-yard rushing touchdown shortly afterward, completing his three-touchdown afternoon. The sequence gave ECU 21 unanswered points after Rice had taken the lead and left the visitors needing multiple scores with most of the fourth quarter remaining.

Engleman finished with 136 yards on 14 carries, averaging 9.7 yards per attempt. Williams completed 19 of 31 passes for 143 yards without an interception, while Joseph caught six passes for 68 yards. Joseph scored both of ECU's passing touchdowns, and Engleman's running helped the Pirates finish with 234 yards on the ground.

Byars gave Rice a productive individual rushing performance, carrying 14 times for 111 yards. But the Owls completed only four of 14 passes for 69 yards and converted three of 15 third downs. Their two turnovers contrasted with ECU's clean turnover column, limiting their chances to stay with the Pirates after halftime.

Tommy Bauchiero made field goals from 45 and 44 yards for Rice, the latter coming in the final minute. Those kicks surrounded the Owls' only touchdown. ECU now has a short turnaround before visiting UAB on Thursday, October 15, with its conference schedule underway and its second-half offense having turned a two-point deficit into a comfortable homecoming victory.