Overview
- Chaston Ditta threw two second-half touchdown passes, including a 72-yarder to Anthony Smith.
- Marlon Gunn Jr.'s long run was nullified by an inadvertent whistle, and Pitt briefly led on Rasheem Biles' 23-yard fumble return.
- Kevon Merrell's 70-yard interception return set up a late field goal that pushed ECU's advantage to two scores.
- East Carolina prevailed despite starting quarterback Katin Houser opting out and both coordinators departing before the bowl.
- The result in Annapolis ran counter to betting lines that had favored Pitt by roughly 9.5 to 10.5 points on ESPN.