Greenville, NC -- (Sports Network) - Tyrod Taylor rushed for a touchdown and threw for 137 yards, as the 22nd-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies beat the East Carolina Pirates, 16-3, in a non-conference matchup at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Taylor completed 17-of-30 passes and rushed for 61 yards on 11 carries for the Hokies (6-3), who became bowl eligible for the 17th straight season with the victory. Ryan Williams rushed for 179 yards on 26 carries. Danny Coale caught six passes for 60 yards for Virginia Tech, which avoided its first three-game skid since the 2003 season. Matt Waldron made all three of his field goal attempts for the victors. Pat Pinkney connected on 16-of-33 passes for 167 yards and an interception for the Pirates (5-4), who had a two-game winning streak snapped. Alex Taylor caught five passes for 60 yards. Dominique Lindsay rushed for 69 yards on 13 carries in defeat.