GREENVILLE, N.C. — Bear Bachmeier threw for 246 yards and a touchdown, and BYU’s defense delivered a pick-six to spark the Cougars to a 34-13 victory over East Carolina on Saturday night at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.

Bachmeier completed 18 of 25 passes, including a 20-yard strike to Carsen Ryan in the third quarter. He also ran for a 16-yard touchdown early in the fourth. LJ Martin rushed for 101 yards on 14 carries, highlighted by a 41-yard TD burst that sealed the game with 3:44 left.

The Cougars (3-0) broke open a tight contest late in the first half when Evan Johnson intercepted Katin Houser and returned it four yards for a touchdown to make it 13-3. Will Ferrin added field goals from 40 and 23 yards.

Houser threw for 285 yards on 25-of-42 passing for the Pirates (2-2) but was intercepted twice and sacked twice. He scored ECU’s lone touchdown on a 2-yard keeper in the fourth quarter. Yannick Smith caught nine passes for 146 yards.

BYU outgained ECU 418-404, forced two turnovers, and held the Pirates to 1-for-3 on fourth down. The Cougars led 20-6 after three quarters and pulled away with two rushing scores in the final period.