CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Quarterback David Garrard's one-yard plunge with 54 seconds remaining lifted East Carolina to a 30-23 victory over West Virginia in front of 47,860 at Ericsson Stadium.

Garrard's second one-yard scoring run capped a six-play drive that covered 57 yards in 1:43 and gave the Pirates (1-0) just their second win in 12 all-time meetings with the Mountaineers (0-1).

A native of Durham, Garrard completed 7-of-14 passes for 105 yards and was intercepted once. He also had 106 yards on the ground as the Pirates totaled 348 rushing yards against an inexperienced West Virginia defense.

Marc Bulger connected on 20-of-30 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns and was intercepted twice. But the Mountaineers were unable to gain yards on the ground. Trying to replace Amos Zereoue, redshirt freshman Avon Cobourne gained 92 yards and 25 carries.

Khori Ivy totaled 88 yards on seven receptions for the Mountaineers, who dropped their season opener for the second straight season. West Virginia lost at Ohio State, 34-17, to begin its 1998 campaign.

Kevin Millar kicked three field goals for East Carolina, connecting from 37 yards in the first quarter, from 42 in the second and from 43 eight seconds into the fourth quarter to give East Carolina a 22-17 lead.

West Virginia fought back, taking a 23-22 lead with 8:27 remaining when Bulger found Ivy for a 20-yard TD. Bulger's conversion pass attempt fell incomplete.

Bulger also threw a two-yard scoring pass to running back Anthony Green early in the second quarter and Cobourne scored his first career touchdown on a one-yard run in the third quarter.