RALEIGH – NC State cornerback Jamel Johnson stuffed East Carolina on fourth-and-1 deep in Wolfpack territory in the final minute Thursday night, preserving NC State’s 24-17 victory.
NC State cornerback Jamel Johnson stuffed East Carolina on fourth-and-1 deep in Wolfpack territory in the final minute Thursday night, preserving NC State’s 24-17 victory.
The game ended without incident. A late-game brawl marred the previous game between the two programs in the 2024 Military Bowl, which was won by ECU.
NC State led 17-0 in the first half, but East Carolina rallied back to within one score in the fourth quarter. Two missed field goals by NC State aided the Pirates’ comeback effort.
With 42 seconds remaining, ECU faced fourth-and-1 from the NC State 9. Quarterback Katin Houser connected quickly with Desirrio Riles, but Johnson stopped him before the yard to gain. Safety Ronnie Royal II helped finish the tackle.
Houser threw for 366 yards and one touchdown. NC State quarterback CJ Bailey threw for 318 yards and one touchdown and added a rushing score.
Scoring summary
First quarter
NCSU — Nick Konieczynski 29 field goal, 8:34. Drive: 15 plays, 64 yards, 6:26. Key plays: Two penalties cost the Wolfpack 25 yards and stalled the team’s promising first drive. NC State 3, ECU 0.
Second quarter
NCSU — CJ Bailey 11 run (Konieczynski kick), 13:33. Drive: 7 plays, 61 yards, 3:31. Key plays: Teddy Hoffmann caught four consecutive passes to start the drive, including a 27-yarder from a scrambling Bailey. NC State 10, ECU 0.
NCSU — Wesley Grimes 48 pass from Bailey (Konieczynski kick), 11:03. Drive: 2 plays, 48 yards, :42. Key play: Bailey connected with Grimes deep down the middle of the field. NC State 17, ECU 0.
ECU — Jayvontay Conner 79 pass from Katin Houser (Nick Mazzie kick), 2:21. Drive: 6 plays, 86 yards, 1:43. Key play: ECU caught NC State scrambling to get set on defense, and Conner bounced off a would-be tackler on his way to the end zone. NC State 17, ECU 7.
Third quarter
NCSU — Hollywood Smothers 2 run (Konieczynski kick), 3:43. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 4:53. Key plays: ECU committed a roughing the passer penalty on third-and-1; ECU committed a pass interference penalty in the end zone on third-and-8, setting up NC State at the 2-yardline. NC State 24, ECU 7.
