January 05, 2026 | Football
GREENVILLE, N.C. – East Carolina wide receiver Anthony Smith has been selected to the Associated Press All-Bowl Team, the organization announced Monday afternoon. Smith’s honor marks the second consecutive season that a Pirate football player has received national bowl recognition, following Rahjai Harris in 2024.
Smith capped his collegiate career in memorable fashion during ECU’s 23–17 victory over Pittsburgh in the Go Bowling Military Bowl. He led the Pirates on the season with 64 catches for 1,053 yards and seven touchdowns. In the bowl game, Smith hauled in four receptions for a Military Bowl–record 156 yards and two scores.
His impact was felt early, as his first two catches of the game—gains of 28 and nine yards—both moved the chains in the opening quarter. On ECU’s first drive of the second half, quarterback Chaston Ditta found Smith for a 47-yard touchdown, giving the Pirates a 10–7 advantage.
Later in the third quarter, with ECU trailing 14–10, Ditta connected with Smith on a short crossing route. Smith turned the play into a 72-yard touchdown, a momentum-shifting score that put the Pirates back in front at 17–14. Smith was later named the Go Bowling Military Bowl Most Valuable Player.
Last season, Rahjai Harris earned Military Bowl MVP honors after rushing for a bowl-record 220 yards on 17 carries, including a game-winning 86-yard touchdown run late against NC State. His performance secured ECU’s 11th bowl victory in program history.
Smith’s selection continues a strong run of postseason recognition for the Pirate football program.
