NC State to Face East Carolina in 2024 Go Bowling Military Bowl
WASHINGTON (December 8, 2024) – The Military Bowl Foundation today announced that NC State will play East Carolina in the 2024 Go Bowling Military Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 28 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md. Kickoff is at 5:45 p.m. ET and the game will be televised on ESPN.
Tickets are on sale now.
“We can’t wait to bring this in-state rivalry to the National Capital Region,” Military Bowl Foundation President & Executive Director Steve Beck said. “Both teams finished their season with so much momentum, with NC State beating rival North Carolina for the fourth year in a row and East Carolina winning four of its final five games. We look forward to hosting both teams in Washington, D.C. for Bowl Week and to a great gameday in Annapolis!”
This will be the first Go Bowling Military Bowl appearance for NC State, which earned a bowl invitation for the fifth consecutive season. East Carolina lost the 2010 game to Maryland and was scheduled to play Boston College in the 2021 game before that was canceled.
It will be the 33rd game all-time between NC State and East Carolina and their second postseason meeting. In the most recent game, the visiting Wolfpack prevailed, 21-20, in Greenville on Sept. 3, 2022, while East Carolina won their only previous meeting in a bowl game, 37-34 in the 1992 Peach Bowl.
NC State (6-6) won three of its final five regular season games, punctuated by a thrilling last-minute, 35-30 win over North Carolina. Freshman quarterback CJ Bailey completed 11 of 12 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns in the second half of that game and running back Hollywood Smothers’ second rushing touchdown of the game cemented the Wolfpack’s 10th bowl trip in the past 11 years.
“We are excited to be headed to the Go Bowling Military Bowl and to compete in an event that benefits our nation’s current and former service members,” NC State Coach Dave Doeren said. “We appreciate the Military Bowl Foundation for inviting us and are looking forward to a great game.”
Following a turbulent start to the season, East Carolina (7-5) righted its ship after a midseason coaching change. Blake Harrell, promoted to be the interim coach and later hired into the position full-time, won his first four games at the helm of the Pirates to turn around their season.
“Thank you to Steve Beck and the Go Bowling Military Bowl for the invitation to play in this prestigious bowl game,” East Carolina Director of Athletics Jon Gilbert said. “Ever since we weren’t able to play in the Military Bowl in 2021, we have been working to get back there. It will be an exciting week for our coaches, staff, student-athletes and Pirate Nation. This is a tremendous way to conclude the season against a formidable opponent, and we are looking forward to representing our great university in Annapolis.”
The Bowl benefits Patriot Point, the Military Bowl Foundation’s 294-acre retreat for wounded, ill and injured active-duty and veteran service members, their families and caregivers.
For the latest updates, including information on purchasing tickets, visit militarybowl.org, follow @MilitaryBowl on Twitter and Instagram or like the Go Bowling Military Bowl on Facebook. For sponsorship information, please contact Military Bowl Foundation Senior Director of Partnerships Marc Goldman at mgoldman@militarybowl.org.
CONTACT: Josh Barr, jbarr@militarybowl.org
ABOUT THE MILITARY BOWL FOUNDATION
The Military Bowl Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates premier events in the National Capital Region to benefit our nation’s service members. Originally formed to create the region’s first-ever college football postseason bowl game, the Foundation now not only runs the Go Bowling Military Bowl but additionally operates the DC Touchdown Club and Patriot Point, a retreat for recovering service members, their families and caregivers on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The Foundation hosts engaging events throughout the year to raise money and awareness for military service members, directly impacting those who give so much of themselves for the country.
ABOUT THE GO BOWLING MILITARY BOWL
The Go Bowling Military Bowl is the National Capital Region’s college football postseason bowl game broadcast on ESPN and featuring a matchup between teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and the American Athletic Conference at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md. Organized by the Military Bowl Foundation, the Bowl’s mission is to benefit our nation’s service members including the operation of Patriot Point, a 294-acre retreat for recovering service members, their families and caregivers on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. For the latest updates, visit militarybowl.org, follow @MilitaryBowl on Twitter and Instagram and like Military Bowl on Facebook!
ABOUT GO BOWLING
GoBowling.com is the destination for bowling consumers and enthusiasts seeking news and information about one of America's favorite pastimes and the nation's number one participatory sport. With more than 67 million people taking to the lanes every year, GoBowling.com is a one-stop location where people of all ages can go to satisfy their love of bowling. Consumers visit GoBowling.com every day to find bowling centers in their communities, learn new tips and techniques to improve their game, and to access bowling promotions available at more than 1,700+ family-friendly bowling centers across the country.
ABOUT BOWLERS TO VETERANS LINK
Since 1942, the Bowlers to Veterans Link has remained bowling’s longest-running charity, providing funding to veterans and active-duty military for recreation therapy programs that address the emotional and physical needs of those in need. The BVL is a national nonprofit 501 (c) (3) charity that is consistently acknowledged for providing effective programming -- efficiently. For more information on BVL, visit https://www.bvl.org/.