"WRAL Triangle and Two" hosts Mark Bergin and Louis Fernandez preview the Dec. 28 Military Bowl featuring NC State and East Carolina.

Quarterback CJ Bailey is due to return to NC State in 2025 for his sophomore season. However, wide receiver KC Concepcion is transferring.

NC State will be without defensive coordinator Tony Gibson, who accepted the head coaching job at Marshall.

NC State and ECU will play for the 33rd time. The two schools also play each other to open the 2025 season.

East Carolina (7-5, 5-3 American Athletic) returns to postseason play after winning four of its last five games under then interim and now head coach Blake Harrell. During that stretch, the Pirates have outscored their opponents 203-140 averaging 40.6 points and 504 yards of total offense per game.