The 2025 Go Bowling Military Bowl brings together two 8-win programs when the East Carolina Pirates face the Pittsburgh Panthers on Saturday, Dec. 27, at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, MD.
This Game Hub will be updated with the final score, key stats and recap immediately after the game. Bookmark this page for complete coverage before and after kickoff.
Go Bowling Military Bowl
Matchup: East Carolina (8-4, 6-2 American) vs. Pittsburgh (8-4, 6-2 ACC)
Date: Saturday, December 27, 2025
Kickoff: 11 a.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Location: Annapolis, Maryland
Betting line: East Carolina +10
Over/Under: 56.5 (DraftKings, 12/21)
How East Carolina Got Here
In Blake Harrell’s first full season as head coach, East Carolina won eight games and tied for fourth place in the American Athletic Conference.
The Pirates posted several statement wins, including:
- 31-27 over Memphis
- 28-6 over defending American champion Army
- 38-0 shutout of Coastal Carolina
- 48-22 win over Charlotte, the program’s first victory over the 49ers in the new in-state rivalry series
This marks ECU’s second straight trip to the Military Bowl. The Pirates defeated NC State 26-21 in the 2024 edition and have won three of their last four bowl games.
👉 View the full East Carolina football schedule and results
Flashback to the last time we were in the Military Bowl 😏@MilitaryBowl pic.twitter.com/TF5Li5FXzT — ECU Football (@ECUPiratesFB) December 10, 2025
ECU Roster Changes and Bowl Outlook
Since accepting the bowl invitation, East Carolina has undergone significant change:
- OC John David Baker departed for Ole Miss
- DC Josh Aldridge accepted the same role at USF
- Three key offensive players have opted out to enter the transfer portal
ECU Known Opt-Outs (as of 12/21)
- QB Katin Houser: 3,300 passing yards, 19 TDs, 6 INTs
- WR Yannick Smith: 44 catches, 583 yards, 5 TDs
- WR Jayvontay Conner: 23 catches, 333 yards, 3 TDs
Who Starts at Quarterback for ECU?
With Houser out, East Carolina likely will turn to either freshman Chaston Ditta or redshirt senior Mike Wright.
Ditta has appeared in four games this season to preserve eligibility (4-for-7, 38 yards, 1 TD) and is viewed as the better fit to run ECU’s traditional offense, per Stephen Igoe from Hoist the Colours, a 247Sports site. Wright, a sixth-year senior, has lined up at quarterback, running back, receiver, defensive back and even punter this season and could play a versatile role in his final collegiate game.
Other QBs on the roster include freshman Cole Hodge and redshirt-sophomore Raheim Jeter. Neither player has recorded a stat this season. Jeter appeared in seven games in 2024, mostly on special teams.
ECU Players to Watch
Offense
- RB Landon Montgomery: 742 yards, 7 TDs
- RB Marlon Gunn Jr.: 532 yards, 6 TDs
- WR Anthony Smith: 897 yards, 5 TDs (1st team all-conference)
- OT Jimarion McCrimon: 1st team all-conference
Defense
- LB Ja’Marley Riddle: 70 tackles, 3 INTs (1st team all-conference)
- DL Zion Wilson: 10 TFLs, 7 sacks (1st team all-conference)
Special Teams
- K Nick Mazzie: 13-for-15 FGs, long of 50 yards, 41-for-41 PATs
How Pittsburgh Got Here
Pittsburgh finished 8-4 in a crowded ACC race, tying for second place in the conference’s 17-team standings.
Notable wins included:
- 42-28 over No. 16 Georgia Tech
- 34-31 at then-No. 25 Florida State
- 53-34 win over NC State
After a 2-2 start, the Panthers surged behind freshman quarterback Mason Heintschel, who threw for 2,098 yards, 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Pitt was still in the ACC title hunt deep into November before losses to Notre Dame and Miami closed the regular season. The Panthers lost out on the chance to play Virginia in the ACC championship game due to league’s oft-discussed tiebreaker policy.
Pittsburgh Players to Watch
Offense
- QB Mason Heintschel: 2,098 yards, 15 TDs
- RB Jakyrian Turner: 652 yards, 7 TDs
- WR Kenny Johnson: 695 yards, 5 TDs
- WR Raphael Williams Jr.: 644 yards, 6 TDs
Defense
- LB Kyle Louis: 79 tackles, 2 INTs (1st-team All-ACC, AP)
- LB Rasheem Biles: 84 tackles, 2 INTs returned for touchdowns
Special Teams
- K Trey Butkowski: 19-for-22 FGs, 2nd-team All-ACC
Western Carolina Connections
Pittsburgh features multiple ties to Western Carolina:
- OC Kade Bell, son of WCU head coach Kerwin Bell
- RB Desmond Reid, a former Catamount with more than 700 all-purpose yards
- QB Cole Gonzales, WCU’s all-conference quarterback in 2023 and 2024 serving as a backup this season (1 TD, 1 INT)
Bowl History and Series Notes
- Fifth all-time meeting between ECU and Pitt
- Series tied 2-2, with last matchup in 1992
- ECU is 11-11 all-time in bowl games
- Pitt is making its 39th postseason appearance
- Pitt’s only previous Military Bowl appearance was a 44-28 loss to Navy in 2015
Game Result (Updated After Final)
East Carolina vs. Pittsburgh – Military Bowl Final Score
This section will be updated following the game with the final score, key stats and recap.
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