NC State puts 2024 in the past with season-opening win over ECU
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- N.C. State opened 2025 with a 24-17 win over ECU, erasing 2024 struggles.
- The Wolfpack defense limited ECU to 30 rushing yards, key to the season debut.
- Wide receiver Wesley Grimes led the offense with 121 yards and a 48-yard TD.
N.C. State quarterback CJ Bailey danced on the field, a smile stretched across his face as the clock ticked down and the team’s season-opening win was within reach.
It was the kind of victory the Wolfpack needed; one it’s been desperate for since last season. N.C. State (1-0) was on the losing end in 2024 of four one-possession games and five within 10 points. The team ended last year with a blown lead to lose to East Carolina in the Military Bowl and the infamous fight.
“I felt like we tarnished our reputation. It was a game that really hurt me, seeing the way our guys couldn’t stop the run — 300 yards rushing,” head coach Dave Doeren said. “I mean, it’s an embarrassing thing, as a head coach that considers himself a guy who knows how to play defense. Then, having the actions that we did afterwards, it was embarrassing.
“This game was about getting our identity back and playing ‘hard, tough, together’ football.”
Finally, it feels like the page has turned.
The Wolfpack took one step on Thursday toward the team it wants to be, when it defeated the Pirates, 24-17, needing a goal-line stand in the final minute to secure its win. Transfer cornerback Jamel Johnson contributing the timely tackle for the win, keeping N.C. State’s in-state rival from pulling off a second straight upset.
Pack avoids ‘panic’
N.C. State had its fair share of breakdowns and mistakes, the team and penalty numbers can attest to that, but it didn’t falter when things got difficult. No one on the sideline doubted its ability to win — a different feeling than how the emotions were a year ago.
“There was no panic. There was nothing,” Doeren said. “The guys just kept playing and finding a way to win.”
The Wolfpack offense played a major role in the team’s ability to pull off the win, some of its key position players stepping up in big ways. Three different players rushed for positive yardage, while seven finished with 11 or more receiving yards.
Wide receiver Wesley Grimes, a second-year Wake Forest transfer, led the team with 121 yards. He recorded a career high and his first game with more than 100 yards. The senior from Raleigh contributed a 48-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter to put the Wolfpack up 17-0. In the fourth quarter, Grimes hauled in a 46-yard pass through two defenders.
True freshman Teddy Hoffman had five catches for 93 yards. His best was a 50-yard grab midway through the fourth.
Hollywood Smothers led all players with 76 rushing yards and one touchdown. He ran for 36 yards on a play in the first, but it was partially called back due to a penalty. Smothers also went 4 of 4 on receptions for 30 yards.
“The vibes are definitely very high,” Grimes said. “The whole game, I wasn’t keeping track of any stats. I didn’t want to think about that. I just wanted that win. I knew we needed that win as a team, and it was a big, big moment for us, especially after last season. I think it was a good starting point.”
Bailey played with more poise and confidence, as well, making more deep passes and completing difficult attempts. The sophomore threw across his body to keep drives alive, especially in the first half.
“We definitely showed a lot of flashes of great things,” Grimes said. “We have great players on the line protecting CJ. CJ is obviously a great player, and we have great guys in the receiver room. … Learning off the things that we messed up today, getting better and staying hungry is a big thing. But it’s there. It’s definitely there. We’ve just got to keep going forward in the right direction.”
Stopping the run key for N.C. State
On the defensive side, the Wolfpack allowed 413 total yards but held the Pirates to 30 yards and one score on the ground. They averaged one yard per rushing attempt. ECU finished the first half with -25 yards and ran for 55 in the second.
Six players contributed five or more tackles — Caden Fordham and Sean Brown combined for 21 — and the team totaled nine quarterback hurries. Defensive end Cian Slone finished with seven tackles and a trio of quarterback pressures.
The defense still gave up 12 explosive plays, including a 79-yard passing touchdown, while the offense didn’t score in the fourth.
“I understand that there’s more to be done, and I’m not where I want to be yet, but it was just a great team win all around,” Slone said.
Doeren said one week ago that games are when teams find out the most about themselves and the coaching staffs.
The Wolfpack learned a lot about this year’s team. It made mistakes, but they’re correctable. Most importantly, N.C. State’s squad was more unified, more poised and like it has the pieces to move forward. 2024 is no longer hanging over their heads, and 2025 feels wide open.
