ECU, NC State To Meet In Military Bowl

WASHINGTON, D.C. – East Carolina will play NC State in the 2024 Go Bowling Military Bowl in Annapolis on Saturday, Dec. 28, according to a joint announcement by bowl officials and the Atlantic Coast Conference Sunday. Kickoff is slated for 5:45 p.m. (ET) on ESPN at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

"Thank you to Steve Beck and the Military Bowl for the invitation to play in this prestigious bowl game," East Carolina Director of Athletics Jon Gilbert said. "Ever since we weren't able to play in the Military Bowl in 2021, we have been working to get back there. It will be an exciting week for our coaches, staff, student-athletes and Pirate Nation. This is a tremendous way to conclude the season against a formidable opponent, and we are looking forward to representing our great university in Annapolis."

This will be the 33rd meeting between the schools with the Wolfpack holding a 19-13 advantage in the series. The bowl contest will also mark the second time the two programs have played in the postseason. ECU captured the 1992 Peach Bowl championship with a 37-34 come from behind win in Atlanta, Ga., propelling the Pirates to an 11-1 record and a No. 9 ranking in the final Associated Press poll.

East Carolina (7-5, 5-3 American Athletic) returns to postseason play after winning four of its last five games under then interim and now head coach Blake Harrell. During that stretch, the Pirates have outscored their opponents 203-140 averaging 40.6 points and 504.0 yards of total offense per contest. ECU's offense is led by quarterback Katin Houser who has passed for 1,859 yards and 18 touchdowns, while running back Rahjai Harris has rushed for a personal-best 946 yards and 10 touchdowns. Defensively, the Pirates have surrendered 27.8 points per game in 2024, standing among the FBS (Top 30) leaders in defensive touchdowns (ninth/3), tackles for loss (11th/7.3 pg), redzone defense (17th/0.75), turnovers gained (23rd/21) and interceptions (27th/13).

"I'm excited for the young men in our program along with our coaches, staff and administration," Harrell said. "Representing our university in Annapolis and allowing our seniors one final opportunity to wear the Pirate uniform is something special. We look forward to the opportunity to face an ACC opponent and play one last game in front of Pirate Nation."

The Pirates are making their third bowl appearance in the last four years and first since defeating Coastal Carolina 53-29 in the 2022 TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl. ECU, who owns a 10-11 all-time postseason record, will also enjoy its fifth bowl showing since 2010 and 22nd in program history when it visits Annapolis.

This will be the Pirates' third appearance in the Military Bowl. East Carolina fell to Maryland, 51-20, in the 2010 game, which set a Bowl attendance record with 38,062 fans. In 2021, ECU was set to face Boston College, but the game was canceled due to COVID-19 protocols within the Eagles program.

The Wolfpack (6-6, 3-5 Atlantic Coast), who finished in a four-way tie for 10th place with North Carolina, Pittsburgh and Virginia, will make their first Military Bowl appearance, 12th since 2010 and 36th overall. NC State, who owns a 17-17-1 all-time record in bowl games, lost a year ago to Kansas State, 28-19, in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando, Fla.

ECU fans are encouraged to order their Bowl tickets by phone or via ECUPirates.com by clicking here starting at 4 p.m. (ET) today. The ECU Athletics Ticket Office can be reached at (252) 328-4500.

Players Mentioned

Rahjai Harris

Katin Houser

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