NC State gets payback, holds off ECU 24-17 in season opener
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- NC State had this game circled since losing to ECU in the Military Bowl in December.
On Thursday night in the season opener, the Wolfpack got a sweet bit of payback, beating the Pirates 24-17 in the season opener for both teams.
It wasn't easy as the Pirates, who never led, battled back. NC State stopped ECU on a fourth-and-1 deep in its own end with 37 seconds left to hold on.
After trailing 17-0 early, ECU pushed all the way to the Wolfpack's 9-yard line on a drive for the tie, with Katin Houser throwing a short pass to the left to Desirrio Riles. Almost immediately, N.C. State's Jamel Johnson closed to make the initial hit that drove Riles laterally toward the sideline, with Ronnie Royal III coming in to clean it up and end the threat.
"It was a very physical game," NC State quarterback C.J. Bailey said. "We've got a lot to work on."
Bailey ran for a score and also threw a 48-yard touchdown pass to Wesley Grimes that electrified the crowd. But he also threw an interception near the end of the first half. He finished 24-of-34 for 318 yards and added 21 yards on the ground.
Hollywood Smothers also ran for a touchdown for the Wolfpack (1-0).
Houser threw for 366 yards and a touchdown for the Pirates (0-1), the highlight being Jayvontay Conner taking a downfield pass, bouncing off a hit, and rumbling loose up the sideline for a 79-yard touchdown shortly before halftime.
This was the latest meeting in a testy instate series. The teams met in last year's Military Bowl, with ECU winning 26-21 in a game that featured a late brawl.
There were no major sparks this time. Rather, it was NC State getting out in front while ECU sputtered out of the gate to dig itself a hole that lasted all night.
Miscues compounded to put Blake Harrell's Pirates behind, including four straight three-and-outs to open the game and two third-down penalties to extend the Wolfpack's third-quarter touchdown drive.
The Wolfpack got a solid defensive start under new coordinator D.J. Elliot by smothering ECU's ground game (30 yards allowed on 29 carries). There were special-teams hiccups, though, with Nick Koniecznski missing two fourth-quarter field goals as the Wolfpack fought to maintain control.
Next up, the Wolfpack hosts Virginia on Sept 6 in a nonconference matchup between longtime Atlantic Coast Conference programs.
The Pirates return home to face in-state Championship Subdivision opponent Campbell on Sept. 6.
The Associated Press contributed.
