A matchup between East Carolina and North Carolina State needs no extra hype.
But there’s additional fuel for this Thursday night clash in Raleigh, N.C., after the teams ended the 2024 season with a heated bowl game.
East Carolina beat the Wolfpack 26-21 in the Military Bowl, which included a late-game, on-field brawl between the teams at Annapolis, Md. Now the teams are back on home-state soil.
NC State coach Dave Doeren said he was embarrassed by his team’s behavior, but also disturbed by how the Wolfpack played that day.
“They’ve got a lot of good parts coming back,” Doeren said of the Pirates, who finished 8-5 last year.
East Carolina receiver Yannick Smith, who was one of the participants in the fight, remains on the Pirates’ roster. He made three touchdown catches last year.
Transfer quarterback Katin Houser is in his second season with the Pirates after starting in seven games last year, throwing for 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Coach Blake Harrell said there should be notable differences in Houser this season.
“Across the last eight months, he has taken a lot of ownership and leadership,” Harrell said. “Make sure he’s not just playing the quarterback position, but being a leader for our football team.”
The Pirates were 5-2 with Houser starting. He rushed for a career-high 84 yards vs. NC State.
Last year’s bowl game left NC State with a 6-7 record. The Wolfpack are bound to have some different looks with new coordinators on both sides of the ball.
“Making sure you’re prepared for anything someone can throw at you,” Harrell said of preparation for a bit of the unknown.
NC State has CJ Bailey beginning the season as the starting quarterback after he was pressed into extended duty a year ago as a true freshman.
“With CJ, you can see his maturity and experience,” Doeren said. “He’s playing football and leading now.”
Bailey said the Wolfpack can change the narrative following last year’s conclusion.
“I can’t wait to step out with my guys to see what we’re really made of,” Bailey said.
Otherwise, there won’t be lots revealed by the Wolfpack prior to the teams taking the field.
“I’m not going to give you any intel,” Doeren said of the depth chart. “Obviously that doesn’t help our team to help you with that information. But we have really good competition right now, on both sides of the football.”
NC State is 19-14 all-time against East Carolina.
