The Military Bowl, pitting in-state rivals East Carolina and North Carolina State, heated up before the game was over, resulting in bloodshed for everyone involved.
The Pirates were coming off a 26-21 victory over the Wolfpack. East Carolina had just intercepted a North Carolina State pass on defense, and all that was left was to run out the clock. With 44 seconds left, running back Rajai Harris ran the ball up the middle, but a scuffle ensued near the Pirates' sideline.
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December 28, 2024. Annapolis, Maryland: Players from the North Carolina State Wolfpack and East Carolina Pirates battle during the second half of the Go Bowling Military Bowl at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. (Tommy Gilligan – Imagen Images)
East Carolina wide receiver Yannick Smith appeared to have snatched the towel from North Carolina State defensive back Tamarcus Cooley. After the play, the Wolfpack chased Smith and forced him to the ground. Two other East Carolina players also joined the fray to protect Smith.
It took another eight minutes for everyone to settle down and the final play to be made.
At least one employee was seen bleeding from the face. Eight players were sent off from the match.
“As a coach, it's embarrassing,” North Carolina State coach Dave Doeren said. “I know our players do too. The people on this program, the players on this program, the staff on this program don't want to be associated with that kind of thing.
“To me, this is a terrible response to what happened to one of our players and there is no excuse for it. So I apologize to ECU and the team for our response.”
December 28, 2024. ANNAPOLIS, Md.: Officials crowd during the second half of the Go Bowling Military Bowl between the North Carolina State Wolfpack and East Carolina Pirates at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. (Tommy Gilligan – Imagen Images)
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“There's no room for that in sports,” East Carolina University head coach Blake Harrell said.
He also appeared to be calling on other schools in the state to add them to the schedule. East Carolina and North Carolina are only about 130 miles apart and have mutual schedules for next season.
“I don't think you can look at our fans and say this isn't a rivalry. It's an hour and 15 minutes down the road,” Harrell said. “And there are a few other schools about the same distance away. Maybe they should put us on their schedule as well instead of trying to take our players. They're going to call and take our players. So why don't we bring them in?' What's the schedule?
“We're going to be looked at as stepbrothers, but that's OK. They're going to compete, they're going to take on the challenge. We know we'll have to play them again next year. It's the beginning of the year, and we're celebrating it tonight.”
December 28, 2024. Annapolis, Maryland: The East Carolina Pirates hoist the Go Bowling Military Bowl trophy after defeating the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. (Tommy Gilligan – Imagen Images)
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East Carolina finished the season with an 8-5 record and North Carolina State finished the season with a 6-7 record.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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