Pirates Prevail over Panthers in 2025 Military Bowl, 23-17

It seems like G5 teams can compete after all. In all seriousness, the 2025 Military Bowl was a fantastic football game between East Carolina and the Pitt Panthers, that resulted in a 23-17 victory for the Pirates.

Both defenses played at a high level, while the offenses made big plays throughout the game. However, turnovers ended up being the major difference in the game between the Pirates and Panthers.

2025 Military Bowl Recap

Pitt, metaphorically and literally, dropped the ball too much, while ECU avoided most of the backbreaking mistakes. Pair that with an even game on every other level, and it is not a surprise that the Pirates prevailed by a score of 23-17.

The victory caps off a very fun season for the Pirates once again, while Pitt heads into another offseason with questions about their ability to close out seasons on a good note.

A Defensive Struggle

For the majority of the first half, and most of the game, it was a defensive war between the Pirates and Panthers.

Regardless of what either team ran, both units thrived on a down-to-down basis. Pitt’s unit was constantly flying to the ball, making plays in the backfield and in the passing game. On the game as a whole, the Panthers limited the Pirates to 249 total yards, including just 72 total rushing yards.

Braylan Lovelace had some huge tackles and pass rush reps, as did Sean FitzSimmons. But when push comes to shove, the Panthers’ defense was powered by the superb play of Rasheem Biles.

On the day, Biles was unstoppable. The linebacker recorded 16 tackles, two sacks, five tackles for loss, a pass breakup, a forced fumble, and a touchdown. He single-handedly shut down the run game, created points off turnovers, and kept the Panthers in the game. Without Biles, Pitt gets blown out in this game.

For East Carolina, the yardage total allowed was higher, but the production was just as impressive.

The Pirates’ defense and special teams, helped to force five turnovers against the Panthers. They made Pitt quarterback Mason Heintschel look rattled all game, throwing a variety of pressures at him. The freshman quarterback threw multiple ill-advised throws that set up ECU in prime field position to score points. Meanwhile, the run game was clamped as the game went on.

This started in the trenches. Jasiyah Robinson, Preston Carr, and Kendrick DuJour wrecked shop as pass rushers and run defenders in key situations. Teagan Wilk played well at defensive back, while linebackers Dameon Wilson, D.J. Johnson Jr., and Ryheem Craig did the same. That does not even mention the contributions of Kevon Merrell, KaMaurri McKinley, and Samuel Dankah.

East Carolina’s entire unit stepped up to the plate on Saturday. Despite being depleted in more than one way, the Pirates manned the ships, buckled down, and found a way to prevail. It was a highly impressive game that showed, no matter the roster, ECU needs to be respected when they step on the field.

Big Plays Rule the Day

As much as this was a defensively dominated game, big plays on offense ruled the day.

For Pitt, the biggest play for them on offense swung the game at the end of the first half.

Mason Heinschel unleashed his best pass of the day, floating a perfect ball to Raphael Williams Jr., who made the diving catch in the end zone. It was a great end to Pitt’s best drive of the day, which put them up 7-3.

The Panthers had other ways of moving the ball, but they simply could not capitalize enough. Ja’Kyrian Turner was arguably the best offensive player on the field, ripping off great runs every time he touched the ball. His fumbles were costly, but he put the Panthers in a better spot every time he touched the ball. The same goes for Justin Holmes in the passing game. Without the tight end’s play, Pitt most likely struggles much more on offense in this game.

As for ECU, Marlon Gunn Jr. was utterly robbed of a 60+ yard touchdown by a horrific call from a referee. Outside of that play, he ran with great power and decisiveness. Despite less-than-stellar stats, the running back played a solid game for the Pirates.

But in all sincerity, only one name is needed for this exercise for ECU. That is, wide receiver Anthony Smith.

The MVP of the Military Bowl, the senior wideout was responsible for not only ECU’s only touchdowns, but the most important scores of the game. Smith was fast, explosive, strong, and smooth all game. He made big catches, rumbled after the catch, and swung the momentum back in the favor of the Pirates. His 156 yards and two touchdowns catapulted the Pirates in an impressive performance.

Smith simply dominated this game and showed off a complete skillset against one of the better defenses in the ACC. To put it lightly, he embodied the idea of a big play in this one.

Turnovers Change the Game

The turnover battle decided the game in this contest.

While others complain about the “sanctity” of the G5 being involved in discussions, let us remember that football is still football. If you commit five turnovers, plus two turnovers on downs in one game, you will have a great shot to lose.

East Carolina and Pittsburgh are two solid football teams. They have good defenses, consistent offenses, and the ability ot beat most teams on their schedule. However, they are not good enough to overcome a bevy of mistakes and turnovers.

Pitt could not overcome the turnovers that their offense and special teams made. ECU had amazing field position from muffed punts, fumbles from running backs, and poor decision-making from the quarterback. Things could have been worse too, as Mason Heintschel threw multiple more passes that should have been intercepted. ECU had its mistakes, too, but the Pirates overcame them with immediate bounce-backs on offense and defense.

Was Pitt the more talented team on Saturday? Perhaps that is the case from a general sense. Yet, that wasn’t the case on Saturday.