At a Glance
- ECU defeats Pittsburgh 23-17 in the Military Bowl.
- A whistle erased a long touchdown, but ECU’s offense and defense dominated.
- Five turnovers and two on-downs swung the game.
- Why it matters: The win cements ECU’s back-to-back bowl success and showcases their resilience.
In a dramatic Military Bowl showdown in Annapolis, East Carolina’s quarterback Chaston Ditta delivered two second-half touchdown passes, while a controversial whistle and a flurry of turnovers turned the tide against Pittsburgh.
Game Highlights
The game began with a controversial call that nullified a 14-yard run by Marlon Gunn Jr., who had sprinted from the 32 to the end zone. The play was reversed after a whistle, leaving Gunn credited with only a 14-yard gain.
- Ditta fumbles on a sack by Rasheem Biles; Biles recovers and returns 23 yards for a Pittsburgh touchdown.
- Ditta’s 72-yard strike to Anthony Smith gives ECU a 17-7 lead.
- Kevon Merrell intercepts Mason Heintschel, returns 70 yards, setting up a field goal.
Turnovers and Impact
Pittsburgh’s five turnovers, including two on downs, and East Carolina’s four takeaways-including a special-teams pick-were decisive.
| Team | Total Turnovers | Turnovers on Downs |
|---|---|---|
| Pitt | 5 | 2 |
| ECU | 4 | 0 |
Blake Harrell said:
> “Some folks were upset we were coming back to Annapolis two times in a row, but if we come up here and get wins every time, I’ll come back every year.”
Pat Narduzzi said:
> “You turn the ball over five times, and then two on downs, that’s a total of seven if you count turnovers on downs. It’s hard to win any football game against any opponent, period.”
Coaching Notes
Pitt’s defensive coordinator Randy Bates retired after more than four decades, while coach Pat Narduzzi highlighted the difficulty of winning with so many turnovers.
Key Takeaways
- ECU’s resilience and turnover advantage secured the win.
- A single controversial whistle had a lasting impact.
- Both teams’ turnovers were pivotal in the final score.
East Carolina’s victory not only secured a second straight Military Bowl title but also demonstrated how turnovers and a single controversial call can define a game.
