The East Carolina Pirates (9-4) took on the Pittsburgh Panthers (8-5) on Saturday afternoon in the Go Bowling Military Bowl from the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland. The Pirates trailed the Panthers 7-3 at halftime. In the third quarter, they scored 14 unanswered points to take a 17-7 lead.
The Panthers came back to score a touchdown, followed by the Pirates getting two field goals to take a 23-14 lead. Pittsburgh would get a field goal to make a one-score game, and they got the ball in the final minutes of the game. The Panthers ran out of time, and the East Carolina Pirates won the Go Bowling Military Bowl over Pittsburgh 23-17.
East Carolina’s offense had 249 yards (177 yards passing, 72 yards rushing), 11 first downs, and the team was penalized five times for 40 yards. Quarterback Chaston Ditta completed 8 of 17 passes (47%) for 177 yards, two touchdowns, and 10 carries for -17 yards.
Running back Marlon Gunn Jr. had 18 carries for 50 yards. Wide receiver Anthony Smith made four catches for 156 yards, two touchdowns, while Jyron Waiters made two catches for 21 yards.
Kicker Nick Mazzie made 3 of 4 field goals (75%) with a long of 42 yards, and made two extra points. The defense made 71 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, four sacks, four fumble recoveries, one interception, and four pass breakups.
Pittsburgh’s offense had 376 yards (256 yards passing, 120 yards rushing), 24 first downs, and the team was penalized three times for 35 yards. Quarterback Mason Heintschel completed 25 of 40 passes (62.5%) for 256 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and 11 carries for -9 yards.
Running back Ja’Kyrian Turner had 15 carries for 93 yards. Wide receiver Justin Holmes made six catches for 100 yards, while Raphael Williams Jr. made five catches for 57 yards and one touchdown.
Kicker Trey Butkowski made one field goal for 21 yards and made two extra points. The defense made 65 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, three sacks, two pass breakups, one fumble recovery, and one touchdown.
