GREENVILLE, N.C. -- Holton Ahlers threw for 298 yards and four touchdowns, while wide receiver Tyler Snead had a touchdown catch and a TD pass to lead East Carolina to a 52-38 win against SMU Saturday in the Pirates' season finale at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
 

East Carolina scored on its first seven possessions, including touchdowns on its first six drives, to build a 45-7 halftime lead on its way to back-to-back wins to close the season. The Mustangs scored 31 second-half points and were able to close to within 14 points, but were unable to get closer.

Ahlers completed 20 of 29 passes and twice connected with Blake Proehl for touchdowns. Proehl had six catches for 152 yards, while Snead had seven receptions for 92 yards and a TD. Snead hit on a reverse pass to Proehl for a 35-yard score in the first quarter, while he added 39 yards on a pair of punt retuns to finish with 131 all-purpose yards.

Keaton Mitchell rushed for 68 yards on 20 carries and had a rushing touchdown and a TD catch for the Pirates.

SMU quarterback Shane Buechele was 35-of-50 for 314 yards and two touchdowns but was intercepted twice by East Carolina's Ja'Quan McMillian.

East Carolina finishes the season at 3-6 overall and 3-5 in the American Athletic Conference. SMU, which lost its second straight, fell to 7-3 overall and 4-3 in The American.