RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — N.C. State stopped East Carolina on a fourth-and-1 deep in its own end with 37 seconds left to hold on for a 24-17 season-opening win Thursday night.

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.

CJ Bailey threw for 318 yards and a perfect 48-yard scoring pass up the seam to Wesley Grimes for the Wolfpack (1-0). He also joined Hollywood Smothers in rushing for a touchdown.

Houser threw for 366 yards and a touchdown for the Pirates (0-1), the highligh

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