NC State falls to East Carolina in Military Bowl
NC State football (6-7) lost to East Carolina (8-5) after the Pirates ripped off an 86-yard touchdown run in the final minutes. The Wolfpack erased a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit but could not hold on to win the Military Bowl.
TheWolfpacker.com recorded all of the key moments and highlights from this in-state showdown below.
FOURTH QUARTER
FINAL: ECU 26, NC State 21
12/28/2024 08:13:57 PMA fight broke out in the final minute, leading to 8 total ejections. ECU took knees to run out the clock.
The game-deciding interception
12/28/2024 08:03:36 PMWith less than a minute to go, a throw from Bailey deflects off Smothers’ hands for an interception. East Carolina can run out the clock and win the game.
East Carolina rips off a long touchdown
12/28/2024 07:59:08 PMFacing 3rd and 10, Rahjai Harris ripped off an 86-yard touchdown run. The two-point try fails, and East Carolina leads 26-21 with 1:33 to go.
Questionable call goes the Pack’s way
12/28/2024 07:53:51 PMCJ Bailey fumbled on third down, and ECU ran it back for what would have been the go-ahead score. Instead, the refs rule forward progress, leading to a punt. The Pirates take over at their own 14 with 1:59 to play.
Tamarcus Cooley is a playmaker!
12/28/2024 07:47:23 PMThe Wolfpack redshirt freshman nickel hauled in his second interception of the game to once again shift the momentum of this contest. NC State takes over at its 42 with 3:49 to play.
A critical turnover on downs
12/28/2024 07:43:23 PMNC State went for it on fourth and two from its own 46 and failed. ECU takes over in Pack territory with 4:22 to play.
Tamarcus Cooley with the defensive play of the game
12/28/2024 07:35:09 PMTamarcus Cooley hauled in a deep pass for an interception. The Pack redshirt freshman forced the first turnover of the game. That’s a huge momentum shift. NC State takes over on the Pack 15 with 6:59 to play, leading by 1.
The Wolfpack takes the lead
12/28/2024 07:26:19 PMTouchdown NC State. Hollywood Smothers catches the ball on an elaborate trick play and takes off for a 33-yard touchdown. NC State leads 21-20 with 9:49 left after a 3-play, 60-yard drive.
NC State forced a three-and-out
12/28/2024 07:22:12 PMThe Pack forced a quick ECU punt thanks to a tackle for loss by Bishop Fitzgerald. NC State takes over at its own 40 with 11:22 to play.
Touchdown NC State
12/28/2024 07:16:20 PMTouchdown NC State. CJ Bailey finds Justin Joly from 15 yards out while facing 4th and 2. East Carolina leads 20-14 with 13:04 left in the game.
THIRD QUARTER
END OF 3Q: ECU 20, NC State 7
12/28/2024 07:08:27 PMThe Wolfpack heads into the fourth quarter facing a two-score deficit.
East Carolina missed a field goal
12/28/2024 07:02:21 PMAfter starting the drive at their own 1 yard line, the Pirates drove to the NC State 28 in five plays before the drive stalled. East Carolina missed the 46 yard field goal. ECU leads 20-7 with 1:23 to go in the third quarter.
NC State’s first punt of the day
12/28/2024 06:55:43 PMThe Wolfpack’s first drive of the half fizzled in Pirate territory after Bailey took a third down sack. Caden Noonkester punted to the ECU 1 with 3:58 to go in the quarter.
East Carolina starts the quarter with a TD
12/28/2024 06:43:44 PMTouchdown ECU. The Pirates put together a 12 play, 75 yard scoring drive on its first possession of the third quarter. East Carolina leads 20-7 with 9:17 to go in the third quarter.
SECOND QUARTER
HALTIME: ECU 13, NC State 7
12/28/2024 06:12:08 PMThe Pirates get the ball after the break. No punts for either team after 30 minutes.
Another field goal for the Pirates
12/28/2024 06:10:15 PMNoah Perez hit the 42-yard attempt to put ECU ahead 13-7 with 6 seconds left in the half. The Pirates ran 11 plays and picked up 51 yards in 1:52 of game time.
Touchdown NC State
12/28/2024 05:54:09 PMCJ Bailey connects with Dacari Collins from 8 yards out. ECU leads 10-7 with 1:58 to go in the half after an 11 play, 78 yard drive that took 5:12 off the game clock.
East Carolina extends its lead
12/28/2024 05:33:43 PMThe Pirates put together a 14-play, 74-yard drive that ended in a 24-yard field goal. East Carolina leads 10-0 with 7:17 left in the second quarter.
Another drive into ECU territory ends without points
12/28/2024 05:24:29 PMA long run by Smothers set NC State up in the red zone, but the drive stalled and Kanoah Vinesett missed the 34-yard field goal wide left.
FIRST QUARTER
END OF 1Q: ECU 7, NC State 0
12/28/2024 05:18:31 PMThe Pack has the ball in the red zone thanks to a 44-yard rush by Hollywood Smothers, who’s already up to 61 yards today.
The Pirates pull in front
12/28/2024 05:08:20 PMTouchdown ECU. Kaitin Houser keeps the ball on third and 6 and scrambles 19 yards to the end zone. The Pirates leads 7-0 with 4:43 to go in the first quarter.
NC State’s opening drive fizzles
12/28/2024 04:59:30 PMThe Wolfpack drove down inside the ECU 30-yard line before the Pack failed to convert a third and 2 and a fourth and 1. The Pirates take over at their own 25 after NC State’s 10-play drive ends with 0 points.
East Carolina wins the coin toss
12/28/2024 04:49:32 PMNC State will start Saturday’s game on offense after the Pirates won the toss and deferred to the second half.
