No. 14 Tennessee defeated No. 24 NC State on Saturday night in the Duke’s Mayo Classic by a score of 51-10. The Vols’ defense set the tone for the night with the physicality and athleticism while Tennessee’s offense continued to put points on the board with the opportunity.
While NC State fell out of the Week 3 Top 25 rankings, Tennessee was the highest riser among all 25 teams. Tennessee moved up a poll-high seven spots from No. 14 to No. 7 after the win.
Tennessee’s defense allowed just 143 total yards of offense on Saturday, which is a team-best in the Josh Heupel era. The offense, meanwhile, saw running back Dylan Sampson top the 100-yard mark for a second straight game as the Tennessee junior leads all SEC backs in rushing yards through two contests.
More from RTI: Where the SEC Lands in Week 3 College Football Rankings
Here’s a look at how the game unfolded on Saturday night in Charlotte, NC:
Pregame
Inactive for Tennessee: RB Cam Seldon, LB Kalib Perry, LB Edwin Spillman
Captains: OL Cooper Mays, LB Keenan Pili, LLS Matthew Salansky, and DL Elijah Simmons
Tennessee won the toss and kicked off to start the game.
First Quarter
Tennessee and NC State both come up empty on their first possessions of the game.
0:09 – TOUCHDOWN TENNESSEE – Vols 7, NCSU 0
- Dylan Sampson takes the nine-yard rush up the middle and into the checkerboards.
on the board
📺 ABC
📲 https://t.co/Q6I8BDR0ki https://t.co/TDlIZTJ8VX pic.twitter.com/8RdqJc8sRo— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) September 8, 2024
-End of the First Quarter –
Second Quarter
11:34 – TENNESSEE TURNOVER – Vols 7, NCSU 0
- Quarterback Nico Iamaleava is intercepted on an attempt to Bru McCoy across the middle. Iamaleava’s pass was wide as he missed leading his receiver.
9:04 – FIELD GOAL NC STATE – Vols 7, NCSU 3
- NC State’s Kanoah Vinesett knocks through the 19-yard field goal for the Pack.
6:33 – FIELD GOAL TENNESSEE – Vols 10, NCSU 3
- Tennessee’s Max Gilbert knocks through the 32-yard field goal.
3:29 – TOUCHDOWN TENNESSEE – Vols 17, NCSU 3
- UT safety Will Brooks picks off Grayson McCall and returns it to the endzone thanks to the help of a few key blocks.
- First career interception for Brooks
- The 10th longest pick-six in Tennessee Football history
Will Brooks 85 yards to the crib!
📺 ABC
📲 https://t.co/Q6I8BDR0ki pic.twitter.com/7jq0vNyprs— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) September 8, 2024
0:00 – FIELD GOAL TENNESSEE – Vols 20, NCSU 3
- Tennessee’s Max Gilbert drives through a 45-yard field goal as time expired. His second made FG of the game.
- Gilbert’s 45-yarder is a career-long for the Memphis native.
– HALFTIME IN CHARLOTTE –
Third Quarter
10:27 – TOUCHDOWN TENNESSEE – Vols 27, NCSU 3
- TE Miles Kitselman slips off the line and finds himself wide open in the endzone for the 15-yard touchdown reception.
- Kitselman’s first career touchdown reception.
6:31 – FIELD GOAL TENNESSEE – Vols 30, NCSU 3
- Max Gilbert knocks through his third FG of the night, this one from 36 yards out.
4:02 – TOUCHDOWN TENNESSEE – Vols 37, NCSU 3
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Nico Iamaleava keeps it himself for the 31-yard rushing touchdown up the middle on 3rd down. Was barely touched through the line. “QB Blast” from College Football 25, anyone?
Just look at him go.
📺ABC
📲 https://t.co/Q6I8BDR0ki pic.twitter.com/PdP78uFitl— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) September 8, 2024
2:20 – TOUCHDOWN NC STATE – Vols 37, NCSU 10
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NC State’s Aydan White scores the 87-yard pick-six for the Wolfpack’s first touchdown of the game. Iamaleava’s pass was tipped near the line of scrimmage and NC State did a good job of tracking the ball in space.
Davin Vann sets it up, Aydan White takes it back.#1Pack1Goal pic.twitter.com/olrEMhxcPL
— NC State Football (@PackFootball) September 8, 2024
-End of the Third Quarter in Charlotte-
Fourth Quarter
14:07 – TOUCHDOWN TENNESSEE – Vols 44, NCSU 10
- Dylan Sampson takes in his second rushing touchdown of the night with a 34-yard score down the right sideline. Sampson’s pure speed made it impossible for the defensive back to catch up on the way to the endzone.
Pure speed.
📺 ABC
📲 https://t.co/Q6I8BDR0ki pic.twitter.com/ks7s01VPXT— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) September 8, 2024
8:22 – TOUCHDOWN TENNESSEE – Vols 51, NCSU 10
- Iamaleava connects with TE Holden Staes for an 18-yard touchdown reception. Staes recorded two touchdowns against NC State as a member of the Notre Dame roster last season in Raleigh.
- Staes’ first touchdown as a Tennessee Volunteer.
All Vols in Charlotte. pic.twitter.com/Msxjx9BovN
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) September 8, 2024
