Last December, the East Carolina Pirates reveled in their moment in Annapolis.
With under two minutes remaining against in-state rival NC State, former running back Rahjai Harris scampered 86 yards down the field to secure a 26-21 signature Military Bowl victory for the program, right after Blake Harrell was promoted from interim to full-time head coach. ECU received another invite to Annapolis against a different ACC opponent in Pittsburgh.
The odds were stacked against the Pirates, as they closed
as 13.5-point underdogs lacking their starting quarterback, starting running back, second-leading receiver, and starting tight end. But ECU’s culture and defense crafted under Harrell prevailed on the Military Bowl stage as ECU shocked Pitt 23-17 for the greatest point-spread upset of the 2025 postseason.
Despite several significant contributors out, it was clear from the jump East Carolina possessed one noticeable advantage over Pitt. The Pirates’ defensive front (which ranks fourth nationally in tackles for loss) feasted on the Panthers’ offensive line from the opening kickoff through the conclusion of the fourth quarter, generating four sacks, seven tackles for loss, and five quarterback hurries. ECU denied Pitt on a pair of fourth-and-shorts in the second quarter, keeping the Panthers’ offense in check nearly the entire first half.
Kendrick DuJour and Jasiyah Robinson both collected multiple sacks, and ECU’s constant pressure led to a high turnover output. Pitt coughed up five turnovers in the Military Bowl, including four fumbles, and the Pirates cashed in with 13 points from the takeaways.
Despite a dynamic defensive showing, it took East Carolina’s offense over a half to adjust to Pitt’s defense. Pitt outside linebacker Rasheem Biles was the best player on the field at all times Saturday, escalating his draft stock to the tune of 16 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, and a forced fumble.
The Pirates clawed inside the Pitt 30-yard line on each of their first four drives but wound up with a mere three points stemming from a short Nick Mazzie field goal. It felt like a series of missed opportunities for the underdogs, especially when the Panthers claimed their first lead at 7-3 with four seconds left in the half, as Mason Heintschel lobbed the ball against a heavy ECU blitz and Poppi Williams overcame man coverage for a 22-yard end zone grab.
ECU shifted the energy in the early third quarter when DuJour completed the trifecta on Heintschel — executing the sack, forced fumble, and fumble recovery on a single snap. One play later, ECU took a deep shot. Quarterback Chason Ditta, making his first collegiate start, bombed it downfield to Anthony Smith for a 47-yard touchdown, handing the Pirates a 14-10 lead.
The following drive, ECU claimed its first multi-score advantage of the Military Bowl — at least it initially appeared so. Running back Marlon Gunn Jr. fielded a pitch on 4th and 1, fought through contact and spun out of it, finding daylight for a 68-yard house call. However, the touchdown was controversially negated due to an inadvertent whistle. Two plays later, a 14-point swing occurred as Biles strip-sacked Ditta and recovered the loose pigskin for a touchdown.
ECU was tasked with overcoming yet another deficit, and just like before, it called upon its trusty receiver Anthony Smith — one of two skill position starters that suited up Saturday. Two plays after Biles’ touchdown, Smith caught a slant from Ditta and cut upfield for a 72-yard score, quickly disposing of the deficit for a 17-14 lead. Smith claimed MVP honors for his 4-reception, 156-yard, 2-touchdown performance which propelled him to his first 1,000-yard season.
Early in the fourth quarter, ECU extended its lead to 20-14 on a Mazzie field goal set up by yet another Pitt fumble. The Panthers finally ignited their offense afterward, charging down the field into the red zone. But upon invading the ECU 20-yard line, Heintschel threw his first interception of the afternoon. His sideline dart to Poppi Williams was jumped by Kevon Merrell, who was a tackle away from a pick-six on a 70-yard return. Mazzie sunk his third field goal on the resulting drive, extending the Pirates’ edge to two scores at 23-14.
Pitt eventually closed the gap to one score, but East Carolina provided significant resistance in the process. The Panthers reached the ECU 11-yard line with exactly 3:00 remaining yet never reached the end zone. ECU’s commanding defense stymied the next five offensive plays, causing Pitt to kick a 21-yard field goal with 1:23 left in the clock’s lifespan. Down six, Heintschel got one last gasp at victory but an offensive pass interference ultimately doomed the Panthers on the desperation possession. Jasiyah Robinson and Ryheem Craig brought down the quarterback on the final play, solidifying ECU’s second-straight Military Bowl win over ACC competition.
Pittsburgh (8-5, 6-2 ACC) dropped three of its final four matchups to conclude the season. The Panthers remain in search of their first bowl win since 2022, falling to 2-6 in bowls under 11th-year head coach Pat Narduzzi.
East Carolina (9-4, 6-2 American) improved to 3-0 in bowls in the last four years and cemented its first 9-win season since 2013. The Pirates are 14-5 with Harrell serving as head coach, concluding a memorable season with an against-the-odds win that proved the program’s depth, culture, and fight.
