Dominique Lindsay (FSY) ran for 139 yards for the Pirates (5-3, 4-1 Conference USA), who warmed up for a game against No. 14 Virginia Tech by rolling up nearly 500 yards on one of the country's worst defenses.

The Tigers, who rank 106th in total defense, fumbled twice to set up early scores for East Carolina.

Will Hudgens (FSY) completed 33 of 48 passes for 313 yards and two touchdowns for the Tigers (2-6, 1-4), who turned the ball over four times.

Pinkney completed 14 of 27 passes for 216 yards and a touchdown, and was picked off once. His only carries were scoring runs of 23 and 3 yards, and he wasn't sacked.

Giavanni Ruffin ran for 87 yards and a late third-quarter touchdown that helped the Pirates pull away and take over the lead in C-USA's East Division.

They still have to face Southern Miss Nov. 28 in a game that will probably decide a spot in the championship game. East Carolina also has to travel to Tulsa and get past UAB at home.

Before that, they'll face the Hokies, who have the nation's eighth-ranked pass defense — a much stiffer test than the Tigers provided.

Memphis allows 400 yards per game on average and has turned the ball over 19 times in eight games.

Two fumbles on consecutive possessions put the Tigers in a big hole early.

Chris Hobbs lost the handle on a first-quarter punt return and Justin Brockmeyer (FSY) recovered at the 10. Two plays later Dwayne Harris (FSY) dove into the end zone on an 8-yard run from a direct snap out of the wildcat formation.

On the first play of the second quarter, a fumbled lateral to running back Curtis Steele (FSY) was scooped up by safety Levin Neal at the Pirates 30. Eight plays later, Pinkney dashed in from the 23 and East Carolina was up 21-3.

Hudgens found Carlos Singleton (FSY) for a 14-yard touchdown pass before halftime and the Tigers opened the third quarter with a field goal, but Ruffin and Pinkney scored quick TDs late in the quarter to put the game out of reach.