Can ECU’s New Offensive Line Hold Up Against NC State’s Revamped Defensive Front?
Quarterbacks may draw the headlines heading into Thursday night’s season opener in Raleigh, but the real battle could be won—or lost—in the trenches. The matchup between East Carolina’s overhauled offensive line and NC State’s retooled defensive front will likely decide how this game unfolds.
The Wolfpack will be without suspended lineman Brandon Cleveland for the first half, but first-year defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot still faces a big test. His unit must do a better job generating pressure and containing ECU’s run game than it did in last year’s bowl meeting.
ECU’s offensive line, meanwhile, has undergone a near-complete makeover. Emmanuel Poku is the lone holdover in the same spot, returning at right guard after starting the final seven games of 2024. Jimarion McCrimon shifts from right tackle to left tackle, while Darius Bell moves from left guard to center after starting early last season. The Pirates added two transfers: Maryland’s Kyle Long at left guard and Division II Newberry product Cooper Trnavsky at right tackle.
That’s significant turnover. How quickly this group can mesh—and how well it handles Eliot’s varied looks—will go a long way toward determining the outcome.
Can the Wolfpack Match ECU’s Edge?
In last year’s Military Bowl, ECU wasn’t the more talented team, but it was clearly the more motivated one. The Pirates played with an emotional edge that NC State never matched, and it carried them to victory.
That intensity is something ECU will bring again Thursday. The question is whether the Wolfpack can meet it. Another flat start would leave the door wide open for another upset. On paper, NC State should be better prepared this time—but until they prove it, the concern is valid.
Will NC State Loosen the Reins on Offense?
Blake Harrell earned the full-time job at ECU in part because of his aggressiveness as interim head coach. He wasn’t afraid to gamble, especially on offense, and his willingness to “let it ride” energized the Pirates.
That’s a stark contrast to Dave Doeren’s more conservative, methodical approach. Playing it safe might still be enough to win Thursday, but after a disappointing 6–7 season and with two new coordinators in place, Doeren could benefit from loosening up. Some of NC State’s most memorable performances under him have come when he’s allowed the offense to play freely.
With the fan base hungry for a spark in 2025, this may be the perfect time for Doeren to follow Harrell’s example—and let it ride.
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