Dave Doeren on rematch vs. ECU in Week 1: 'I want to beat the shit out of that team'

Dave Doeren wants to beat East Carolina in Week 1. And he wants it bad.

ECU defeated Doeren’s NC State Wolfpack 26-21 during the 2024 Military Bowl to end last season. In the final minute of the game, the two teams broke out in melee which left an official bloodied. The NC State headman had some strong words for the Pirates program as both teams gear up for the season opener.

“I don’t want to just win that game. I want to beat the shit out of that team,” Doeren said. “Not because of them but because of how we played. I told our team in the locker room, that’s the most embarrassed I’ve ever been as a coach — not because we lost but because of how we behaved at the end of it.”

Flashing back to December, chaos took over as the benches emptied and several players from both teams got involved in the fight. The fight started when ECU receiver Yannick Smith appeared to grab the towel of NC State defensive Back Tamarcus Cooley. Cooley then chased after Smith and grabbed him before other players got involved.

The official who suffered the injury was hurt when an ECU player pushed an NC State player in the back, causing him to fall forward into the referee, headbutting him with his helmet. Eight players were ejected as a result — five of the players were from Doeren’s own squad. After a while, the two teams were able to resume the final minute of regulation.

“I’m not going to be part of football like that. So they can change or they can find a new coach because I’m not going to do it anymore,” he said. “To me, it’s disrespectful to the game of football. It’s disrespectful to the staff and the fans. And they understand. And they understand what this game is about. It’s about winning the football game. And if it’s my way, it’ll be in blowout fashion. But they’re a good football team, and they’ve got a lot of good parts coming back. So it’ll be fun.”

NC State is an early 11.5-point favorite, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. That might not be enough for Doeren’s liking, though. It’s expected to be a high-scoring affair with the over/under set at 57.5 points.

Kickoff between the Wolfpack and Pirates is set for Thursday, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. ET. The game will air live on the ACC Network from inside Carter-Finley Stadium.

On3’s Chandler Vessels contributed to this report.