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NC State Holds Off East Carolina's Late Push To Secure A 24–17 Season-Opening Win At Home

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Football

(BCSNN) — CJ Bailey threw for 318 yards and accounted for two touchdowns as NC State held off a late East Carolina rally to win 24–17 in Thursday night’s season opener at Carter-Finley Stadium. The Wolfpack defense came up with a crucial fourth-down stop inside its own 10-yard line with 37 seconds remaining to seal the win.

Bailey, a sophomore making his second career season-opening start, completed 24 of 34 passes and added an 11-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter. He also connected with Wesley Grimes on a 48-yard scoring strike up the seam, part of a career-best 121-yard receiving night for the junior wideout. “CJ was composed and efficient,” head coach Dave Doeren said. “He made plays when we needed them most.”

East Carolina quarterback Katin Houser kept the Pirates close, throwing for 366 yards and a touchdown on 30-of-44 passing. His highlight came late in the second quarter when he found Jayvontay Conner for a 79-yard touchdown, with Conner bouncing off a tackle and sprinting up the sideline to cut the deficit to 17–7. Conner finished with 108 receiving yards on five catches.

Hollywood Smothers led all rushers with 106 total yards and a third-quarter touchdown for NC State, while ECU struggled to establish the run, managing just 30 yards on 29 carries. The Wolfpack defense, under new coordinator DJ Eliot, recorded three fourth-down stops and held the Pirates scoreless in the third quarter.

The game marked a rematch of last season’s Military Bowl, which ECU won 26–21 in a contest that ended in a sideline scuffle. Thursday’s meeting was far cleaner, though no less intense, as the Wolfpack built a 17–0 lead early before the Pirates clawed back in the second half. “This game was about getting our identity back,” Doeren said. “We played hard, tough, together football.”

Special teams were a mixed bag for NC State, with kicker Nick Koniecznski converting a 29-yard field goal but missing two attempts in the fourth quarter that could have extended the lead. ECU head coach Blake Harrell said the Pirates had planned to go for two and the win had they scored on their final drive.

NC State (1–0) will host longtime ACC rival Virginia on Sept. 6, while East Carolina (0–1) returns home to face FCS opponent Campbell. For the Wolfpack, Thursday’s win was a gritty start to a season defined by redemption and renewed focus.