GREENVILLE, N.C. (AP) -- Shane Carden threw for 305 yards and
four touchdowns to lead East Carolina to a 48-28 victory over
Houston on Saturday afternoon.



Vintavious Cooper rushed for 140 yards and a touchdown for the
Pirates (6-4, 5-1 Conference USA), who posted their highest
point total this season.



The victory makes East Carolina bowl-eligible for the sixth time
in the past seven seasons.



Carden's 31 completions and 43 passes are both career highs. He
has thrown 16 TD passes against seven interceptions this season.
Danny Webster caught six of Carden's passes, three of them for
TDs.



The Pirates outgained the Cougars (4-5, 3-2) 245 to 28 yards
rushing, which contributed to their nearly 30-minute advantage
in time of possession. Houston ran the ball only 11 times.



Houston's David Piland threw 51 passes, completing only 22,
including four for touchdowns. He and Carden threw one
interception each.