A late scuffle in Saturday's NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) football game between East Carolina University and North Carolina State University left a referee with a cut under his left eye, spoiling the rivalry, ESPN reports. Reported in light.
The East Carolina (EC) Pirates defeated the North Carolina (NC) State Wolfpack 26-21 in the Go Bowling Military Bowl game at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. Eight players were sent off after the scuffle.
North Carolina State defensive back Tamarcus Cooley could take the job. Saw When North Carolina State University tight end Casey Kelly intervened, the dispute escalated into a scuffle as Smith struggled with EC wide receiver Yannick Smith over a towel that Smith had apparently taken from Cooley.
A full minute passed before the tension subsided, and about eight minutes passed before the ball was snapped again for the final kneel. (Related: College basketball star kicks opponent in the face, referee throws)
North Carolina State coach Dave Doeren: “I'm embarrassed as a coach.'' said. “I know our players are like that. 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 about the players. It was a terrible response to what happened to one person and there is no excuse for it. We therefore apologize to ECU and its team for our response.”
“Obviously, I didn't like the last part of the game. There's no place in sports for that to happen,” Pirates manager Blake Harrell said.
The announcers seemed to have foreseen the uproar. “Two in-state programs fell out of love 183 miles apart.” said Just before the match starts.
The Wolfpack is the most popular team in North Carolina. Nevertheless, Harrell also addressed other in-state teams.
“I don't think you can look at our fans and say this isn't a rivalry. It takes an hour and 15 minutes,” he said. “And there are some other schools in about the same distance. Maybe they should put us on their schedule as well instead of trying to take our players. They're calling us and trying to get our players in. Now, why don't we schedule them?
“We're going to be looked at like stepbrothers, but that's OK. They're going to compete and challenge themselves. We know we'll have to play them again next year, early in the year. But we're going to celebrate this tonight.”
Of the 33 games the teams have played since October 10, 1970, the Wolfpack has won 19 times and the Pirates have won 14 times. wincipedia.
“We've said it several times, but no love is lost on the 83 miles that separate our two North Carolina schools,” another announcer said as the scuffle continued.
Spectators might want to keep that in mind, as the two teams will meet again in the 2025 college football season opener on Aug. 30 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
