NC State Holds On To Beat In-State Rival ECU 24-17 in Season Opener

NC State was a 14-point favorite against ECU in the season opener this evening, but when the Wolfpack and the Pirates take the field, it’s always bound to get interesting.

The Wolfpack imposed its will early, jumping out to a 17-0 lead through the first 19 minutes.

Redshirt freshman placekicker Nick Koniecznski, who beat out Kanoah Vinesett for the starting job coming out of fall camp, connected on a 29-yard field goal to get the Pack on the board.

After exiting the first quarter with a 3-0 lead, sophomore quarterback CJ Bailey added 14 more points in the second quarter—rushing for an 11-yard touchdown and tossing a 48-yard bomb to senior Wesley Grimes.

With just over two minutes left in the first half, ECU capitalized on a moment of chaos from the Wolfpack defense. With NC State failing to get set before the snap, Pirates quarterback Katin Houser found Jayvontay Conner for a 79-yard touchdown.

Midway through the third quarter, redshirt sophomore running back Hollywood Smothers punched it in from three yards out, restoring NC State’s 17-point lead.

The Wolfpack continued to move the ball in the fourth quarter, but Koniecznski missed back-to-back field goal attempts from 40 and 46 yards.

ECU clawed back, responding with a 4-yard touchdown run from Marlon Gunn Jr. and a 34-yard field goal from Nick Mazzie to cut the lead to seven.

The Pirates made one final push, driving to the Wolfpack 9-yard line with 42 seconds left. Facing a 4th-and-1, ECU needed a conversion, but NC State stuffed Desirrio Riles in the backfield for a one-yard loss to seal the deal.

NC State defeated ECU 24-17 to start the 2025 season 1-0.

Bailey completed 71% of his passes for 318 yards and a touchdown (with one interception). The 300-yard outing was the third of his career and his second-highest total. His passing efficiency rating was 153.
Grimes opened his senior season with a bang, logging the first 100-yard game of his career. He finished with four catches for 121 yards and a touchdown.

True freshman wide receiver Teddy Hoffmann, who generated plenty of buzz coming out of fall camp, showed why in his college debut. He tied for the team lead in receptions (5) and targets (6), finishing with 93 receiving yards—the second-most on the team.

Redshirt senior linebacker Caden Fordham didn’t show any signs of rust in his first game back from an ACL injury, leading the Pack with 11 tackles and 2 tackles for loss. Fellow captain and redshirt senior linebacker Sean Brown was right behind him with 10 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.

The Wolfpack also appear to have struck gold in the transfer portal with redshirt seniors Sabastian Harsh (Wyoming) and Cian Slone (Utah State). Both finished their NC State debuts with seven tackles apiece—Harsh adding a team-high 2.5 tackles for loss, while Slone recorded three quarterback hurries.

Next up: NC State returns home to face UVA next Saturday at noon.