Annapolis, MD—–In a thrilling showdown in Maryland, the East Carolina Pirates faced off against the NC State Wolfpack in a high-energy bowl game. The matchup featured North Carolina’s homegrown talent battling for supremacy, with East Carolina securing a nail-biting victory in the final seconds.
First Half: Early Momentum and Defensive Battles
The game began with East Carolina winning the toss and deferring to the second half. NC State, led by freshman quarterback CJ Bailey, started strong, relying on short passes and a balanced offense. However, ECU’s defense made an early statement by stuffing NC State running back Smothers on a critical 4th-and-1.
ECU’s offense responded quickly despite a false start penalty on their opening drive. Quarterback Houser demonstrated precision, completing his first four passes for 43 yards while adding 22 rushing yards and a touchdown, giving the Pirates a 7-0 lead.
NC State’s next possession began disastrously with a holding penalty, pinning them deep at their own 12-yard line. After some ground success, Smothers broke free for a 44-yard run, propelling NC State into the red zone. However, the drive stalled, and a missed field goal kept the Wolfpack scoreless.
ECU capitalized on their defensive stop, executing an efficient drive that ended with a 24-yard field goal by kicker Perez, extending their lead to 10-0. NC State responded late in the second quarter with Bailey connecting on an 8-yard touchdown pass to Collins, narrowing the score to 10-7. Before halftime, ECU added another Perez field goal, heading into the break up 13-7.
Second Half: ECU Builds and NC State Responds
The Pirates started the second half aggressively but were thwarted on a reverse play. Despite the setback, Houser led another strong drive, ultimately settling for a 4-yard score to extend ECU’s lead to 20-7.
NC State struggled to find consistency, hampered by penalties and an unrelenting ECU defense. Linebacker Julian Davis delivered a crucial sack, halting the Wolfpack’s momentum. ECU’s offense, meanwhile, showcased explosive plays, including a 40-yard run by Harris. However, a missed 46-yard field goal left the door open for NC State.
Final Moments: ECU’s Last Stand
With time running out, ECU turned to their workhorse, Harris. The Pirates marched downfield, but an untimely turnover seemed to seal their fate. However, in a moment of brilliance, Harris redeemed himself on the final play, breaking free for a stunning 93-yard touchdown run. The dramatic score gave ECU a 27-21 victory, securing their bowl game triumph.
Attendance and Final Thoughts
The game was played in front of 23,981 fans, who witnessed one of the most thrilling finishes in recent memory. ECU’s resilience and Harris’s heroics cemented the Pirates’ victory, while NC State’s young quarterback Bailey showed promise for the future.
This unforgettable clash of North Carolina rivals will be remembered as a classic battle of grit, determination, and last-minute drama.
