NC State downs ECU to open 2025 season with a win
The 2025 season is here. NC State and East Carolina are set to clash for the 33rd time in program history on Thursday night at Carter-Finley Stadium.
Follow along for live updates from the Wolfpack’s opening-night clash with the Pirates.
Final: NC State 24, ECU 17
08/28/2025 09:21:38 PMNC State survives to edge ECU in the season opener. The Wolfpack is 1-0 to earn its 20th win in the series.
Turnover on downs!
08/28/2025 09:19:27 PMNC State corner Jamel Johnson stopped ECU short of the line to gain on fourth-and-1 at the Wolfpack 10-yard line.
NC State 24, ECU 17. 4Q 37 seconds.
Another missed kick
08/28/2025 09:14:53 PMNC State kicker Nick Konieczynski missed from 46 yards, wide right.
ECU nails a field goal
08/28/2025 08:58:12 PMECU, which scored a touchdown early in the fourth quarter, added to its total with a 34-yard field goal to make it a one-score game.
NC State 24, ECU 17. 4Q 8:32.
NC State extends the lead
08/28/2025 08:21:06 PMWolfpack running back Hollywood Smothers punched in a 2-yard touchdown carry for his first score of the 2025 season. That capped a 10-play, 80-yard drive that went 4:53.
NC State 24, ECU 7. 3Q 3:43.
The Freshman All-American is in
08/28/2025 08:20:11 PMNC State inserted true freshman offensive lineman Spike Sowells in at right guard during its third drive of the third quarter. He was in for Kamen Smith, who started the game.
Cleveland is back
08/28/2025 07:56:44 PMAfter serving a first-half suspension from his role in the Military Bowl brawl last December, NC State senior defensive lineman Brandon Cleveland returned to the field on the first play of the second half.
Halftime: NC State 17, ECU 7
08/28/2025 07:32:43 PMNC State had all the momentum early, but costly mistakes, including a botched defensive substitution, allowed ECU to stay in the game with its lone score of the night.
The Pirates missed a 53-yard field goal attempt at the end of the first half.
ECU gets on the board
08/28/2025 07:18:17 PMECU’s offense caught NC State’s defense in the middle of a substitution with a 79-yard touchdown pass to Jayvontay Conner.
NC State 17, ECU 7. 2Q 2:21.
NC State strikes again
08/28/2025 06:49:06 PMCJ Bailey connects with a streaking Wesley Grimes for a 48-yard touchdown strike. That’s a 2-play, 48-yard drive in just 42 seconds.
NC State 17, ECU 0. 2Q 11:03.
The Bailey Battering Ram
08/28/2025 06:45:11 PMNC State QB CJ Bailey powered his way into the end zone with an 11-yard touchdown run as he bounced off a couple defenders. That capped a 7-play, 61-yard drive in 3:31.
NC State 10, ECU 0. 2Q 13:33.
NC State’s defense came to play
08/28/2025 06:33:32 PMThe Wolfpack defense hasn’t made life easy for the Pirates’ offense so far. That’s two drives and two three-and-outs for ECU.
NC State is outgaining ECU 101-8 yards through both teams’ first two drives of the night.
NC State 3, ECU 0. 1Q 2:35.
OT Teague Andersen update
08/28/2025 06:28:28 PMAfter leaving NC State’s opening drive shaken up with a trip to the medical tent, right tackle Teague Andersen returned to the game a few plays into the Wolfpack’s second drive of the night.
Redshirt sophomore Rico Jackson filled in for Andersen during his time off the field.
Wolfpack defense forces a quick 3-and-out
08/28/2025 06:22:25 PMIt’s NC State defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot’s first game with the Wolfpack, and his unit looked the part on the first drive. It logged a tackle for loss and allowed just 2 total yards of offense.
NC State forced a punt and started its second drive from its own 27-yard line. Pack leads 3-0. 1Q 7:31.
NC State strikes first on opening drive
08/28/2025 06:17:10 PMNC State kicker Nick Koniecynski’s first attempt of his collegiate career, a 29-yard field goal, is good.
The field goal caps a 15-play, 64-yard drive that took 6 minutes, 26 seconds. NC State leads 3-0. 1Q 8:34.
Pregame coin toss
08/28/2025 06:01:06 PM
ECU won the toss and elected to deferred to the second half. NC State will open the game on offense first.
