Bryn Renner threw three touchdown passes in the first half and the North Carolina defense forced host East Carolina into turnovers on its first three possessions en route to a 35-20 victory on Saturday.

North Carolina is off to its first 4-1 start since 2008.

Renner and tailback Giovani Bernard helped stake North Carolina to a 28-3 halftime advantage while the Tar Heels defense forced East Carolina, which entered the game leading the nation in turnovers per game (4.3), into two fumbles and two interceptions in the first half.

Bernard rushed for 146 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries in notching his third straight 100-yard game. Renner finished 13-of-20 for 230 yards.

Dominique Davis completed 41-of-58 passes for 417 yards and two touchdowns for East Carolina (1-3).