The Navy Bowl featured a matchup of in-state rivals East Carolina and N.C. State and the sport’s temperature heated up earlier than the top, which left an official bloodied.
The Pirates have been about to wrap up a 26-21 win over the Wolfpack. East Carolina had simply intercepted an N.C. State move on protection and all they needed to do was run out the clock. Operating again Rahjai Harris ran the ball up the center with 44 seconds left, however a struggle ensued near the Pirates’ sideline.
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Dec. 28, 2024; Annapolis, MD: North Carolina State Wolfpack and East Carolina Pirates gamers struggle throughout the second half of the Go Bowling Navy Bowl at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. (Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Photos)
East Carolina broad receiver Yannick Smith appeared to swipe a towel from N.C. State defensive again Tamarcus Cooley. The Wolfpack performed after which chased Smith and pushed him to the bottom. Two different East Carolina gamers jumped into the fray to defend Smith.
It was one other eight minutes earlier than everybody may relax, and the ultimate play may happen.
No less than one official was seen along with his face bloodied. Eight gamers have been ejected from the sport.
“I’m embarrassed as a coach,” N.C. State coach Dave Doeren stated. “I do know our gamers are, too. That isn’t how individuals of this program, the gamers of this program, employees of this program, need something to do with one thing like that.
“To me, it was a horrible response to one thing that occurred to one in all our gamers, and there’s no excuses for it. So I apologize to ECU and their staff for the best way we responded.”
Dec. 28, 2024; Annapolis, MD: Officers huddle throughout the second half of the Go Bowling Navy Bowl between the North Carolina State Wolfpack and the East Carolina Pirates at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. (Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Photos)
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East Carolina head coach Blake Harrell stated there was “no place in sports activities for that.”
He appeared to problem different in-state faculties so as to add them to their schedules. East Carolina and N.C. State are solely about 80 miles aside and have one another on their schedules for subsequent season.
“I don’t suppose you’ll be able to have a look at our followers and inform them it’s not a rivalry. It’s an hour and quarter-hour up the street,” Harrell stated. “And there’s a few different faculties about the identical distance. Perhaps they need to put us on their schedule as nicely, as a substitute of attempting to take our gamers. They wish to name our gamers and take our gamers. Effectively, how about put us on the schedule?
“We’re going to be checked out like somewhat step-brother, that’s effective. These guys are going to compete, they’re going to take up the problem. I do know we acquired to go play these guys once more subsequent 12 months, at first of the 12 months. However we’re going to have a good time this one tonight.”
Dec. 28, 2024; Annapolis, MD: East Carolina Pirates hoists the Go Bowling Navy Bowl trophy after defeating North Carolina State Wolfpack at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. (Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Photos)
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East Carolina completed the season 8-5 and N.C. State ended the 12 months 6-7.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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