ECU Opens as Two-Touchdown Underdog for Season Opener at NC State

Military Bowl Rematch Set for Week One

East Carolina will open its 2025 football season on the road in Raleigh and despite last year’s result, the Pirates will enter as underdogs.

According to DraftKings, ECU has opened as a 14-point underdog for its Aug. 28 season opener at NC State.

The matchup marks a high-stakes rematch of the 2024 Military Bowl, where the Pirates stunned the Wolfpack in a 26-21 victory to close out the season. Now, the two teams meet again this time on NC State’s home field with revenge in the air.

Harrell’s First Full Season Begins

Blake Harrell begins his first full season as ECU’s head coach after taking over midway through the 2024 campaign. The former defensive coordinator helped stabilize the program and capped the year with a bowl win that energized Pirate Nation.

Now, Harrell leads a retooled roster into a tough Week One test, looking to build on that momentum and usher in a new era of Pirate football.

Wolfpack Reload with Offensive Talent

NC State enters 2025 with strong momentum under veteran head coach Dave Doeren after a 6-7 season in 2024.

Sophomore quarterback CJ Bailey returns after showing flashes of big-play ability late last year, and he’ll have help in the backfield from returning running back Hollywood Smothers. Tight end Justin Joly also returns as a reliable target in the passing game.

Defensively, the Wolfpack remain tough up front but will be working in a largely new-look secondary after several key defensive backs hit the transfer portal following the 2024 campaign.

Underdog Mentality Again

The 14-point spread may surprise some after ECU’s postseason win in December, but it reinforces the underdog mindset the Pirates are used to embracing.

A second straight win over the Wolfpack this time in Raleigh, would send a clear message that ECU is ahead of schedule under Harrell.

Recent History Favors the Pirates

East Carolina’s bowl win last December marked its first victory over NC State since 2016. The Pirates haven’t won in Raleigh since 2013 , a streak they’ll look to break.

While NC State leads the all-time series 19-14 dating back to 1970, ECU has had the upper hand in recent decades. The Pirates have won 11 of the last 20 meetings since 1983 and 9 of the last 16 overall.

Kickoff is set for Thursday night, Aug. 28, inside Carter-Finley Stadium.