NC State seeks to wipe slate in opener vs. ECU after poor finish in 2024
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- N.C. State targets redemption after 2024 bowl loss and late-game misconduct.
- Coach Doeren and players emphasize discipline and emotional control in 2025.
- Opener vs. ECU offers a chance to reset team tone and performance trajectory.
N.C. State football hopes to accomplish two major goals in its season opener against in-state rival East Carolina: Set a positive tone for the upcoming season and right the wrongs that took place in the 2024 season finale.
The Wolfpack lost to ECU, 26-21, in the Military Bowl, but its effort and a fight that led to ejections were “embarrassing,” head coach Dave Doeren and players said during the offseason.
“It’s an opportunity to rectify a poor performance and poor behavior against a team we respect,” Doeren said at ACC Kickoff. “That game, to me, is so much about us, not them. I wish we could’ve played them a month ago, because you want to get to that next game when you play poorly. That’s the only way to get the taste out of your mouth.”
In a now-deleted tweet from ESPN’s David Hale, Doeren also said he doesn’t just want to win the opener but wants to “beat the [expletive] out of that team.”
Doeren reiterated that his desire to win big comes from a place of disappointment in his program. That comment, however, spurred social media commentary, segments on sports podcasts and questions for Pirates head coach Blake Harrell. Harrell did not address the statement at the American Athletic Conference media days.
“Our guys know who we play Game 1. Our guys know when Game 1 is, and I don’t think that’s any different any other year,” Harrell said. “It’s just the first one. It’s the biggest game of the year, because it’s the next game of the year.”
Both teams started fall camp this week, with ECU hosting its first practice Monday and N.C. State beginning Wednesday. Like their coach, the Wolfpack players also have their sights set on Week 1. Their comments, however, were more subtle.
“It left a bad taste in our mouths,” defensive end Travali Price said Thursday. “We want to go out there and dominate. You need to make a statement on Day 1.”
Quarterback CJ Bailey, tight end Justin Joly and running back Hollywood Smothers said the opener is always exciting regardless of the opponent, but Smothers hopes for a positive outcome in four weeks. The team struggled in 2024 and did not meet the standards set for the program, he said, but that is not indicative of a long-term trend. N.C. State is attacking this season and hopes to see significant improvements.
Temple transfer Tra Thomas is also excited to play the Pirates again for a similar reason. The Owls lost to the Pirates, 56-34, last season in Greenville after giving up a second-quarter lead.
Thomas grabbed one interception in the loss.
“I’m very pumped up. I can’t wait,” Thomas said. “I think about this every day because I played East Carolina at Temple and they beat us. I don’t believe they should have beat us. It was just some things that we messed up on as a team, but I’m ready to dominate and destroy anything in front of me. Let’s do it.”
N.C. State’s bowl loss to the Pirates featured four scoring drives of at least 70 yards, including an 86-yard rushing touchdown that allowed East Carolina to retake the lead with 1:33 remaining. The Pirates intercepted one of Bailey’s passes to seal the victory.
With less than one minute on the clock, the game devolved into a fight with shoving and punching. Eight players — five from the Wolfpack and three from the Pirates — were ejected.
“I told our team in the locker room, that’s the most embarrassed I’ve been as a coach — not because we lost but because of how we behaved at the end of it,” Doeren said last week. “I’m not going to be part of football like that, so they can change or they can find a new coach, because I’m not going to do it anymore. To me, it’s disrespectful to the game of football. It’s disrespectful to the staff and the fans. They understand. They understand what this game is about. It’s about winning the football game. If it’s my way, it’ll be in blowout fashion.”
Bailey said in a separate interview scrum that the team wants to show more poise this year. Its goal is to remain tough and competitive without turning to fights. In addition to the ECU game, N.C. State and UNC fought in the regular-season finale and Anthony Belton was ejected during the Clemson game.
“That’s one thing we preach in this year and in the spring and in fall camp: Every fight we have, we’re on the line,” Bailey said. “We’re running. You cannot. You’ve got to know how to control your emotions.”
N.C. State and East Carolina play their second consecutive game Aug. 28 at Carter-Finley Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. The Wolfpack was picked to finish No. 10 in the ACC preseason poll, while the Pirates were selected to finish No. 7 in the American.
