FB PREVIEW: #14/12 Vols Ready for Primetime Battle with #24/23 Wolfpack in Duke’s Mayo Classic
Courtesy / UT Athletics

FB PREVIEW: #14/12 Vols Ready for Primetime Battle with #24/23 Wolfpack in Duke’s Mayo Classic

Posted on September 7, 2024

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – No. 14/12 Tennessee will look to build off a successful week one performance as it takes a step up in competition this Saturday night, facing off against one of the ACC’s best in No. 24/23 NC State at 7:30 p.m. in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.

MORE INFO

GAMEDAY & BROADCAST INFO

#14/12 TENNESSEE (1-0 | 0-0 SEC)

 Game Notes Roster Schedule Stats Record Book 

#24/23 NC STATE (1-0 | 0-0 ACC)

 Game Notes Roster Schedule Stats Media Guide Digital Game Program Duke’s Mayo Classic Info Tennessee Athletics App Follow @UTGameday Buy 2024 Record Book Buy Tennessee Gear Heupel Monday Presser

Saturday’s contest will mark the second time that the Vols have played inside Bank of America Stadium. UT played West Virginia in the 2018 Belk College Kickoff in its only prior visit.

BROADCAST INFO

The ABC primetime crew of Rece Davis (PxP), Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) and Holly Rowe (sideline reporter) will have the call for Saturday’s game. Coverage begins at 7:30 p.m. with kickoff slated for 7:44 p.m.

UT fans can listen to Tennessee’s official radio broadcast on the Vol Network (Local: WIVK-FM 107.7/WNML-FM 99.1) over 65 stations across the state of Tennessee and the southeast, SiriusXM (Ch. 374) and the SiriusXM app (Ch. 374), as well as the Varsity App. A live audio stream of the broadcast will also be available on UTSports.com​ and the Tennessee Athletics App. Fans attending the game are encouraged to listen to the radio broadcast via the Vol Network Stadiumcast on 89.5 FM.

Bob Kesling (PxP), VFL Pat Ryan (analyst) and Brent Hubbs (analyst) will call the action, with VFL Jayson Swain handling sideline duties for the Vol Network radio broadcast. The Big Orange Countdown pregame show begins two hours prior to kickoff at 5:30 p.m. The pregame show is hosted by John Wilkerson, Brent Hubbs, VFL Jayson Swain and a rotating VFL special guest each week. The Vol Network celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2024. 

The Spanish broadcast is available locally on WNML-AM 990 with Carlos Lopez (play-by-play) and VFL Fuad Reveiz on the call. That version is also available on UTsports.com and the Tennessee Athletics app. 

GAMEDAY INFO

Fan information for this year’s Duke’s Mayo Classic can be found HERE. Bank of America Stadium ticket office opens at 1 p.m. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. 

TICKETS AND PARKING

Tickets for Saturday’s can be purchased through Ticketmaster by clicking HERE.

All entry to Bank of America Stadium events require mobile tickets, as PDF tickets will no longer be valid for entry. All users, both multiple-game and single-game ticket buyers, will be required to access and manage their tickets through the free Charlotte Sports Foundation Mobile App. For more information, click HERE.

Parking and travel information for Saturday can be found HERE.

GAMEDAY EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

FanFest: Fans of both teams are encouraged to take part in the Duke’s Mayo Classic FanFest event prior to the game, which will include food and drinks, live music, a kids zone and more. For more information on FanFest, click HERE.

NEED TO KNOW

The Nico Era Off and Running
Tennessee is one of two SEC teams (South Carolina) starting a redshirt freshman at quarterback in 2024 as Nico Iamaleava has taken the reins. Iamaleava, a former five-star recruit from Long Beach, California, made his second career start and first in Neyland Stadium last weekend.

He was named SEC Co-Freshman of the Week as he set a UT record for most passing yards in a half with 314, topping the previous record of 313 by Tyler Bray in the first half versus Troy on Nov. 3, 2012. It marked the fourth 300-yard passing total in a half in program history.

Iamaleava connected on his first 10 passes and finished 22-of-28 with three touchdowns and no picks in only one half of work. He was the first freshman quarterback (true or redshirt) to start an opener for the Vols since true freshman Brent Schaeffer did so against UNLV on Sept. 5, 2004.

Offensive Fireworks in Season Opener
The Vols opened their 128th season with 718 yards of total offense in an emphatic 69-3 victory over Chattanooga last Saturday in Neyland Stadium. The 69 points were the second-most points scored in the modern era (1937-present) and were the most in the Josh Heupel era.

The 66-point margin of victory was the third-highest of the modern era. The margin of victory was the highest for Tennessee in a season opener since defeating Carson-Newman, 101-0, on Sept. 25, 1915 while the 718 yards of total offense tied for the second-most in a single game in school history and the second-most in the Heupel era. The Vols churned out 724 against Missouri in 2022.

The 718 yards were also the second-most by an FBS team in week one behind only Ole Miss’ 772. UT scored on its first seven possessions against the Mocs, including touchdowns on the first three drives. The Vols capped the first half with 45 points, seven shy of their program record for a half, and 503 total yards (314 passing, 189 rushing).

Non-Conference Win Streak
Tennessee has won 11 non-conference games in a row and is 14-2 overall versus non-SEC foes under Heupel. UT has outscored non-conference opponents 772-236 in the Heupel era and has secured perfect non-conference regular season records in back-to-back years (2022-23) under Heupel.

Special Teams Continue to Flourish
The Big Orange have thrived on special teams under coordinator Mike Ekeler, who is in his fourth season with the program. Tennessee did it again in its week one win over Chattanooga, as true freshman defensive end Jordan Ross, making his collegiate debut, blocked a punt and returned it 13 yards for a touchdown with 1:07 left in the fourth quarter. Ross was the first Vol to return a blocked punt for a touchdown since Daniel Bituli returned one 29 yards against South Carolina on Oct. 26, 2019.

SERIES HISTORY

Tennessee leads series, 2-1
The Vols and Wolfpack will square off for the fourth time on Saturday. In the only other meeting between the two programs this century, UT defeated NC State, 35-12, in the 2012 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game in Atlanta.

Tennessee will look to make it four straight victories over ACC foes after notching wins over No. 7 Clemson and No. 17 Pitt in 2022 and opening the 2023 season with a 49-13 triumph over Virginia in Nashville.

ABOUT NC STATE

The Wolfpack are led by head coach Dave Doeren, who has posted an 82-58 record during his 12-year stint as head coach in Raleigh.

Transfer quarterback Grayson McCall is in his first year leading the offense after a highly-productive four-year career at Coastal Carolina. During his time with the Chanticleers, McCall threw for 10,005 yards and accounted for 106 total touchdowns (88 passing, 18 rushing) in 42 games and earned Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year recognition in each of the last three seasons. The North Carolina native completed 26-of-40 passes for 318 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in the Wolfpack’s season-opening win over Western Carolina last Thursday.

McCall has a handful of talented targets to throw to, none more dangerous than sophomore wide receiver Kevin “KC” Concepcion, who was tabbed the ACC Rookie of the Year in 2023 after racking up 1,179 all-purpose yards and 10 receiving touchdowns as a true freshman. Concepcion picked up right where he left off in NC State’s season opener last week, leading the team with nine catches for 121 yards and three touchdowns against the Catamounts. On the ground, Duke transfer running back Jordan Waters was the team’s top rusher in week one, churning out 124 yards on 20 carries while finding pay dirt twice.

Defensively, the Wolfpack have had to replace a handful of starters, including 2023 Butkus Award winner Payton Wilson at linebacker. Three different players finished with a team-high seven tackles in the season opener. Veteran corner Aydan White was one of those players with seven stops and also had a pair of pass breakups in the win. He was a third-team All-ACC selection in 2023 and boasts eight career interceptions.

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FB PREVIEW: #14/12 Vols Ready for Primetime Battle with #24/23 Wolfpack in Duke’s Mayo Classic
Courtesy / UT Athletics

FB PREVIEW: #14/12 Vols Ready for Primetime Battle with #24/23 Wolfpack in Duke’s Mayo Classic

Posted on September 7, 2024 by Jim Kelly • 0 Comments

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – No. 14/12 Tennessee will look to build off a successful week one performance as it takes a step up in competition this Saturday night, facing off against one of the ACC’s best in No. 24/23 NC State at 7:30 p.m. in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.

MORE INFO

GAMEDAY & BROADCAST INFO

#14/12 TENNESSEE (1-0 | 0-0 SEC)

 Game Notes Roster Schedule Stats Record Book 

#24/23 NC STATE (1-0 | 0-0 ACC)

 Game Notes Roster Schedule Stats Media Guide Digital Game Program Duke’s Mayo Classic Info Tennessee Athletics App Follow @UTGameday Buy 2024 Record Book Buy Tennessee Gear Heupel Monday Presser

Saturday’s contest will mark the second time that the Vols have played inside Bank of America Stadium. UT played West Virginia in the 2018 Belk College Kickoff in its only prior visit.

BROADCAST INFO

The ABC primetime crew of Rece Davis (PxP), Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) and Holly Rowe (sideline reporter) will have the call for Saturday’s game. Coverage begins at 7:30 p.m. with kickoff slated for 7:44 p.m.

UT fans can listen to Tennessee’s official radio broadcast on the Vol Network (Local: WIVK-FM 107.7/WNML-FM 99.1) over 65 stations across the state of Tennessee and the southeast, SiriusXM (Ch. 374) and the SiriusXM app (Ch. 374), as well as the Varsity App. A live audio stream of the broadcast will also be available on UTSports.com​ and the Tennessee Athletics App. Fans attending the game are encouraged to listen to the radio broadcast via the Vol Network Stadiumcast on 89.5 FM.

Bob Kesling (PxP), VFL Pat Ryan (analyst) and Brent Hubbs (analyst) will call the action, with VFL Jayson Swain handling sideline duties for the Vol Network radio broadcast. The Big Orange Countdown pregame show begins two hours prior to kickoff at 5:30 p.m. The pregame show is hosted by John Wilkerson, Brent Hubbs, VFL Jayson Swain and a rotating VFL special guest each week. The Vol Network celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2024. 

The Spanish broadcast is available locally on WNML-AM 990 with Carlos Lopez (play-by-play) and VFL Fuad Reveiz on the call. That version is also available on UTsports.com and the Tennessee Athletics app. 

GAMEDAY INFO

Fan information for this year’s Duke’s Mayo Classic can be found HERE. Bank of America Stadium ticket office opens at 1 p.m. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. 

TICKETS AND PARKING

Tickets for Saturday’s can be purchased through Ticketmaster by clicking HERE.

All entry to Bank of America Stadium events require mobile tickets, as PDF tickets will no longer be valid for entry. All users, both multiple-game and single-game ticket buyers, will be required to access and manage their tickets through the free Charlotte Sports Foundation Mobile App. For more information, click HERE.

Parking and travel information for Saturday can be found HERE.

GAMEDAY EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

FanFest: Fans of both teams are encouraged to take part in the Duke’s Mayo Classic FanFest event prior to the game, which will include food and drinks, live music, a kids zone and more. For more information on FanFest, click HERE.

NEED TO KNOW

The Nico Era Off and Running
Tennessee is one of two SEC teams (South Carolina) starting a redshirt freshman at quarterback in 2024 as Nico Iamaleava has taken the reins. Iamaleava, a former five-star recruit from Long Beach, California, made his second career start and first in Neyland Stadium last weekend.

He was named SEC Co-Freshman of the Week as he set a UT record for most passing yards in a half with 314, topping the previous record of 313 by Tyler Bray in the first half versus Troy on Nov. 3, 2012. It marked the fourth 300-yard passing total in a half in program history.

Iamaleava connected on his first 10 passes and finished 22-of-28 with three touchdowns and no picks in only one half of work. He was the first freshman quarterback (true or redshirt) to start an opener for the Vols since true freshman Brent Schaeffer did so against UNLV on Sept. 5, 2004.

Offensive Fireworks in Season Opener
The Vols opened their 128th season with 718 yards of total offense in an emphatic 69-3 victory over Chattanooga last Saturday in Neyland Stadium. The 69 points were the second-most points scored in the modern era (1937-present) and were the most in the Josh Heupel era.

The 66-point margin of victory was the third-highest of the modern era. The margin of victory was the highest for Tennessee in a season opener since defeating Carson-Newman, 101-0, on Sept. 25, 1915 while the 718 yards of total offense tied for the second-most in a single game in school history and the second-most in the Heupel era. The Vols churned out 724 against Missouri in 2022.

The 718 yards were also the second-most by an FBS team in week one behind only Ole Miss’ 772. UT scored on its first seven possessions against the Mocs, including touchdowns on the first three drives. The Vols capped the first half with 45 points, seven shy of their program record for a half, and 503 total yards (314 passing, 189 rushing).

Non-Conference Win Streak
Tennessee has won 11 non-conference games in a row and is 14-2 overall versus non-SEC foes under Heupel. UT has outscored non-conference opponents 772-236 in the Heupel era and has secured perfect non-conference regular season records in back-to-back years (2022-23) under Heupel.

Special Teams Continue to Flourish
The Big Orange have thrived on special teams under coordinator Mike Ekeler, who is in his fourth season with the program. Tennessee did it again in its week one win over Chattanooga, as true freshman defensive end Jordan Ross, making his collegiate debut, blocked a punt and returned it 13 yards for a touchdown with 1:07 left in the fourth quarter. Ross was the first Vol to return a blocked punt for a touchdown since Daniel Bituli returned one 29 yards against South Carolina on Oct. 26, 2019.

SERIES HISTORY

Tennessee leads series, 2-1
The Vols and Wolfpack will square off for the fourth time on Saturday. In the only other meeting between the two programs this century, UT defeated NC State, 35-12, in the 2012 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game in Atlanta.

Tennessee will look to make it four straight victories over ACC foes after notching wins over No. 7 Clemson and No. 17 Pitt in 2022 and opening the 2023 season with a 49-13 triumph over Virginia in Nashville.

ABOUT NC STATE

The Wolfpack are led by head coach Dave Doeren, who has posted an 82-58 record during his 12-year stint as head coach in Raleigh.

Transfer quarterback Grayson McCall is in his first year leading the offense after a highly-productive four-year career at Coastal Carolina. During his time with the Chanticleers, McCall threw for 10,005 yards and accounted for 106 total touchdowns (88 passing, 18 rushing) in 42 games and earned Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year recognition in each of the last three seasons. The North Carolina native completed 26-of-40 passes for 318 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in the Wolfpack’s season-opening win over Western Carolina last Thursday.

McCall has a handful of talented targets to throw to, none more dangerous than sophomore wide receiver Kevin “KC” Concepcion, who was tabbed the ACC Rookie of the Year in 2023 after racking up 1,179 all-purpose yards and 10 receiving touchdowns as a true freshman. Concepcion picked up right where he left off in NC State’s season opener last week, leading the team with nine catches for 121 yards and three touchdowns against the Catamounts. On the ground, Duke transfer running back Jordan Waters was the team’s top rusher in week one, churning out 124 yards on 20 carries while finding pay dirt twice.

Defensively, the Wolfpack have had to replace a handful of starters, including 2023 Butkus Award winner Payton Wilson at linebacker. Three different players finished with a team-high seven tackles in the season opener. Veteran corner Aydan White was one of those players with seven stops and also had a pair of pass breakups in the win. He was a third-team All-ACC selection in 2023 and boasts eight career interceptions.