Tennessee Dominates NC State 51-10 in Duke's Mayo Classic

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Tennessee Volunteers made a powerful statement with a resounding 51-10 victory over the No. 24 North Carolina State Wolfpack in the Duke’s Mayo Classic on Saturday night. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava was exceptional, combining for 276 yards and three touchdowns, while the defense showcased its strength with a standout performance.

Iamaleava, a redshirt freshman, was a key figure in Tennessee’s commanding win. He completed 16 of 23 passes for 211 yards, throwing touchdowns to Miles Kitselman and Holden Staes. Iamaleava also made a significant impact on the ground, rushing for 65 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown run. Despite two interceptions, he demonstrated resilience and poise, leading the Vols to score on eight of their eleven possessions.

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel praised Iamaleava's performance, noting his ability to handle adversity. “He played within himself and responded well to adversity, and that is one of the things we haven't seen from him,” Heupel said. “I am really proud of his demeanor.” The quarterback’s strong showing comes after Tennessee’s explosive 69-3 win over Chattanooga in their season opener, marking a total of 120 points scored in their first two games.

The game was also marked by an impressive defensive display from the Volunteers. Former walk-on safety Will Brooks made a memorable play with an 85-yard interception return for a touchdown, highlighting Tennessee’s defensive dominance. The Vols’ defense held NC State to just 39 yards rushing on 28 carries and limited quarterback Grayson McCall to 104 yards passing while forcing three turnovers. Heupel lauded the defensive effort, calling it “elite” and comparing it to the standards set by Tennessee legends like Reggie White, Al Wilson, and Eric Berry.

The first half set the tone for Tennessee's dominance. After a somewhat sloppy start, Iamaleava showed his skill by breaking containment and picking up crucial yards on a third-and-7 play. The Vols then struck first with a touchdown run by Dylan Sampson, who finished with 132 yards and two touchdowns. NC State managed to score a field goal, but their offense struggled to gain traction.

The turning point came when McCall overthrew tight end Justin Joly, leading to Brooks’ interception and a touchdown that gave Tennessee a 17-3 lead. This play was the 10th-longest interception return for a touchdown in school history, further demoralizing the Wolfpack. Max Gilbert added a 45-yard field goal just before halftime, giving Tennessee a 20-3 lead.

The second half continued to see Tennessee's dominance. On the opening drive of the third quarter, Iamaleava kept the drive alive with a fourth-down run and then connected with Kitselman for another touchdown. Tennessee’s defense continued to shine, with Dominic Bailey stripping McCall of the ball and recovering it at the NC State 22-yard line. Gilbert’s third field goal extended the lead further.

NC State's situation worsened when they were stopped on a fourth-and-1 run in their own territory. Iamaleava took advantage with a 31-yard touchdown run, sealing the game with 4:07 left in the third quarter. The Wolfpack, who had been hoping to bounce back after a win against Western Carolina, were left reeling.

NC State coach Dave Doeren acknowledged the team's difficulties, saying, “It got away from us. It snowballed as it went. We have a lot of work to do to get back to it.” Despite the tough loss, Doeren expressed confidence in McCall, stating, “We have great confidence in Grayson. As a head coach I completely believe in him.”

Tennessee’s offensive strategy included extensive use of two tight ends, a move that caught the Wolfpack off guard. Heupel emphasized the depth of his tight end room and its role in the team’s success, saying, “This is the deepest our tight end room has been and it will be a part of what we continue to do.”

The Vols' up-tempo offense and stifling defense suggest that they are a team with national championship potential. On the other hand, NC State’s offensive struggles and inability to recover from early setbacks raise concerns about their ability to compete at a high level. With this dominant performance, Tennessee is poised to climb in the rankings, possibly breaking into the Top 10, while NC State may fall out of the Top 25.

In summary, Tennessee's impressive performance against a ranked opponent demonstrates their strength and potential, while NC State faces critical questions about their readiness for the remainder of the season.

Disclaimer:

This content has been generated by an artificial intelligence language model. While we strive for accuracy and quality, please note that the information provided may not be entirely error-free or up-to-date. We recommend independently verifying the content and consulting with professionals for specific advice or information. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the use or interpretation of this content.