RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- NC State had this game circled since losing to ECU in the Military Bowl in December.

On Thursday night in the season opener, the Wolfpack got a sweet bit of payback, beating the Pirates 24-17 in the season opener for both teams.

Box Score

It wasn't easy as the Pirates, who never led, battled back. NC State stopped ECU on a fourth-and-1 deep in its own end with 37 seconds left to hold on.

After trailing 17-0 early, ECU pushed all the way to the Wolfpack's 9-yard line on a drive for the tie, with Katin Houser throwing a short pass to the left to Desirrio Riles. Almost immediately, N.C. State's Jamel Johnson closed to make the initial hit that drove Riles laterally toward the sideline, with Ronnie Royal III coming in to clean it up and end the threat.

"It was a v

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