Houston 27, East Carolina 13

GREENVILLE, N.C., Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Kevin Kolb threw two touchdown passes to Brandon Middleton Tuesday as Houston opened its Conference USA slate with a 27-13 triumph over East Carolina.

Kolb completed 18-of-27 passes for 263 yards and Middleton had five receptions for 135 yards for the Cougars (4-1), who avenged last season's 54-48, triple-overtime loss to the Pirates.

East Carolina (0-5) grabbed a 10-7 lead 2:40 into the second quarter on a one-yard plunge by quarterback Desmond Robinson, but the ensuing kickoff went out of bounds, giving Houston the ball at the 35-yard line. On the next play, Kolb tossed a 65-yard TD pass to Middleton.