While we’re still one day away from the first full Saturday of the college football season, a number of teams made their 2024 season debuts on Thursday night including Tennessee’s week two opponent North Carolina State.
The 24th-ranked Wolfpack did not impress at home to open the season, surviving a scare and defeating FCS foe Western Carolina 38-21 at home.
Western Carolina led 14-7 in the first half and the game was tied at 14-14 at halftime. The Catamounts even took a 21-17 lead into the fourth quarter before North Carolina State came alive with three fourth quarter touchdowns to win the game handedly.
North Carolina State struggled on the offensive front at times throughout the game with the Catamounts totaling 9 tackles for loss and stuffing a pair of fourth-and-one runs. Western Carolina also had success on the offensive line of scrimmage, rushing for 123 total yards on just 18 carries for an impressive 6.8 yards per carry.
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With transfer starting quarterback Grayson McCall, the Wolfpacks’ passing attack had a strong performance. North Carolina State threw for 318 yards with sophomore receiver Kevin Concepcion dominating with a nine catch, 121 yards and three touchdowns.
Tennessee football opens up its 2024 season on Saturday afternoon when it hosts Chattanooga at Neyland Stadium. Chattanooga and Western Carolina are both members of the Southern Conference with the Mocs projecting as the better team this season after making the FCS playoffs last year.
The Vols first real challenge of the season comes in week two when they travel to Charlotte to face North Carolina State in a neutral site matchup. Both teams are currently in the top 25 and it’s an incredibly important game for Tennessee’s College Football Playoff hopes.
Kickoff in week two between Tennessee and North Carolina State at Bank of America Stadium is at 7:30 p.m. ET. ABC is broadcasting the game.
