Justin Hardy snares a 3-yard touchdown pass from Shane Carden on East Carolina's opening drive against N.C. State on Saturday. Photo by W.A. Myatt.

ECU defensive back Damon Magazu celebrates a defensive stop against the Wolfpack. Photo by W.A. Myatt.

Bryce Williams hauls in a touchdown pass from Shane Carden to put ECU up 14-7 over State early in the second quarter. Photo by W.A. Myatt.

Linebackers Derrell Johnson (56) and Brandon Williams (24) take down Wolfpack receiver Quintin Payton. Photo by W.A. Myatt.

ECU's Montese Overton (51) celebrates a special teams play with teammate Zeek Bigger (44). Photo by W.A. Myatt.

ECU running back Vintavious Cooper rushed for 146 yars in the Pirates' convincing victory over State. Photo by W.A. Myatt.

Shane Carden completes a pass in the flat. ECU's junior QB threw for 255 yards and accounted for 5 touchdowns on the day. Photo by W.A. Myatt.

Lance Ray comes down with ECU's final TD of the day on an extraordinary against-the-helmet catch of a pass from Shane Carden. Photo by W.A. Myatt.

Senior Adonis Armstrong acknowledges the Pirate fans located in the corner of the upper deck above the Wolfpack student section. Photo by W.A. Myatt.

East Carolina coach Ruffin McNeill and AD Jeff Compher pair up after the win and thank the Pirate fans in attendance. Photo by W.A. Myatt.