GREENVILLE, N.C. — Katin Houser accounted for three first-quarter touchdowns and East Carolina rolled past Army 28-6 on Thursday night at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.

Houser got the Pirates (3-2, 1-0 American) off to a blistering start, scoring on a 3-yard keeper before finding Anthony Smith on a 40-yard strike and Jayvontay Conner on a 20-yard touchdown pass as ECU built a 21-0 lead in the opening period .

Army (1-3, 0-2 American) cut into the deficit midway through the third quarter on Dewayne Coleman’s 2-yard plunge, but the Black Knights failed on the ensuing two-point try. ECU’s Kyler Pearson capped the scoring with an explosive 32-yard touchdown run in the fourth on a fake field goal.

Houser finished 15 of 22 for 251 yards with two scores and one interception, while also adding a rushing touchdown. Smith caught three passes for 87 yards and a touchdown. The Pirates outgained Army 431-290 and converted 7 of 12 third downs .

Noah Short led Army with 127 rushing yards on 11 carries, including a 60-yard burst, but the Black Knights managed just 49 yards through the air. Army held the ball for more than 34 minutes yet went 2 of 15 on third down and turned it over twice .

East Carolina’s defense registered seven tackles for loss and limited Army to one score on two red-zone trips.