Rahjai Harris led East Carolina (ECU) to a thrilling 26-21 victory over NC State in the Military Bowl with an 86-yard touchdown run. Despite blowing a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter, Harris managed to salvage the game for the Pirates with his excellent performance on the field. However, the joy was left somewhat tarnished by a large-scale fight that broke out between the two in-state rivals during the attempt to run out the clock. This resulted in ejections of three ECU players and five NC State players, and even saw umpire Rod Tucker being injured in the face.
NC State coach, Dave Doeren, expressed regret over the unfortunate incident after the game. He expressed embarrassment for the incident, denying that it reflected the ethos of the school’s program. This incident marks the second consecutive NC State game mired in controversy, with a similar scuffle erupting after their win against UNC in the regular-season finale.
The incident overshadowed a great comeback for ECU who were trailing 21-20. ECU had the ball on their 14-yard line and on the third attempt, Harris successfully rushed the ball into the end zone. This gave the Pirates the lead and set them well on their course to victory in the game.
Blake Harrell, ECU’s coach, celebrated the team’s lead, but showed no hesitation marking his disapproval of the post-game brawl. He insisted that this kind of behavior has no place in a sporting event. He also stood up for the rivalry between ECU and NC State, suggesting more games between the two in-state schools.
CJ Bailey for the Wolfpack had a commendable game with three touchdown passes, overcoming a 20-7 deficit in the fourth quarter. An explosive trick play resulted in a 21-20 lead for NC State when he handed off to Hollywood Smothers, who then pitched to Keenan Jackson, who subsequently pitched the ball back to Bailey. Bailey then passed it back to Smothers who ran a 33-yard TD for the lead. But the ACC teams have had a troubled post season with only one win in nine games.
The Pirates started the match on the front foot, with quarterback Katin Houser scoring a 19-yard touchdown run. NC State clawed back with an 8-yard scoring pass from Bailey to Dacari Collins in the second quarter. The Pirates led 13-7 at halftime and further added to the score with Houser’s 4-yard TD run at the beginning of the third quarter. After a delay of game penalty thwarted their plans for a 2-point conversion, they settled for kicking the extra point.
