The NC State vs. East Carolina football rivalry has been a roller-coaster ride ever since it began in 1970.
After the two schools first met on October 10, 1970—when the Wolfpack defeated the Pirates 23–6 in Carter-Finley Stadium—they went on to play one another every year from 1970 to 1987, with NC State winning 12 of the 18 contests. All 18 of those games were held in Raleigh.
Things got dramatic in 1987, leading then–NC State Athletics Director Jim Valvano to suspend the Wolfpack from scheduling future games against the Pirates.
What happened?
After East Carolina defeated NC State 32–14 in Carter-Finley that year, Pirate fans stormed the field and
tore down one of the goalposts.