ECU Archives - WPTF-AM

NC State’s late 4th-down stop seals 24-17 win against East Carolina to open season

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — N.C. State stopped East Carolina on a fourth-and-1 pass in the red zone with 37 seconds left to hold on for a 24-17 season-opening win. ECU trailed 17-0 but drove all the way to the Wolfpack’s 9-yard line in the final minute before N.C. State’s stop. CJ Bailey threw for 318 yards and a perfect 48-yard scoring pass up the seam to Wesley Grimes for the Wolfpack. Bailey also joined Hollywood Smothers in rushing for a touchdown. Katin Houser threw for 366 yards and a 79-yard touchdown to Jayvontay Conner shortly before halftime.… Continue Reading

N.C. State, East Carolina resume testy instate rivalry with season-opening matchup

N.C. State and East Carolina meet Thursday to open the season in a testy instate series. The Pirates beat the Wolfpack in the Military Bowl to end last season. That game included a late on-field brawl. Both teams have returning quarterbacks in ECU’s Katin Houser and N.C. State’s CJ Bailey.… Continue Reading

ECU fires head coach Mike Houston after 6 seasons amid struggles

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) — East Carolina University has fired head football coach Mike Houston, six years after he was hired with hopes of returning the Pirates to their former glory. The decision came just hours after a 45-28 loss to Army, which dropped the team’s record to 3-4 this season. Houston, who was introduced as head coach by athletic director Jon Gilbert in 2018, led ECU to its highest point in 2022, when the Pirates clinched the Birmingham Bowl, capping off an 8-5 season.… Continue Reading