Former walk-on Will Brooks came up with the biggest play of the half for Tennessee.
Charlotte, NC – The impact of Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. and Kennan Pili was felt early as the Vols and NC State met in Charlotte for the Duke Mayo Classic.
In the opening drive, Pili registered a solo tackle and .5 for loss, and James Pearce Jr. recorded one quarterback hurry and .5 sack.
Complimenting those efforts was Tennessee’s defensive front.
Omarr-Norman Lott, one of the Vols’ better pash rushers, sacked NC State’s Grayson McCall. Which brought up a third down try for the Wolfpack. A couple of plays later, the Pack would punt on their opening drive.
In the Wolfpack’s 6:49 opening drive, McCall connected with wide receiver Kevin “KC” Concepcion three times for 7, 6, and 6-yard completions. It wouldn’t be enough as their 12-play opening drive ended in a punt.
However, NC State’s defense brought the pressure early as well.
As the pocket collapsed, Nico Iamaleava ran it three separate times in the opening drive and was 0-2 on pass attempts as the Wolfpack brought the pressure.
Seven plays in and it was a Tennessee punt.
After a 3 and Out by NC State, in Tennessee’s next offensive drive, they responded.
Iamaleava completed all six of his pass attempts to four different targets.
Though their most explosive play came on a shovel pass to Dylan Sampson who took it 17-yards while being wrapped up around the ankles for about five of those yards.
Iamaleava hands it right back to Sampson on the next play for a 9-yard rushing touchdown.
In back-to-back games, Sampson has scored a touchdown run.
It was his third time at Tennessee to have consecutive games with a rushing touchdown.
In 2022, he did so against Ball State and Akron. Then in 2023, he registered a TD run against Texas San Antonio, and South Carolina the following week.
The Vol defense would force a third straight Wolfpack punt.
McCall was sacked by Jakobe Thomas for a loss of 5 yards, that would bring up a 4th and 17 and the Wolfpack would punt once again.
But, Tennessee wouldn’t be on offense for long.
Iamaleava looked to get to McCoy deep in the middle of the field, but the pass was too far in front and drove right into the hands of Bishop Fitzgerald who returned it for 29 yards.
Pearce pressured McCall, but the QB was able to get rid of the ball and ripped it downfield to Justin Joly, the transfer tight end from UConn.
The 14-yard reception takes the Wolfpack to Tennessee’s 14-yard line.
Next play, McCall gets to KC for five yards. It wouldn’t be enough to move the sticks and NC State finishes their drive with a field goal, 7-3 UT.
Just as we discussed in Friday’s episode, Tennessee could try to get to Squirrel White earlier in the game.
Tennessee did just that.
Iamaleava slung in deep down the left field sideline for 45 yards, White stretching out for the diving catch.
Iamaleva went back to White four plays later, but the pass was just outside and White couldn’t get a hand on it.
That incompletion would force a field goal attempt, and Tennessee would convert to get back up by a touchdown, 10-3 with 6:36 left in the half.
On NC State’s fifth drive, they got their first explosive play as McCall connected with KC for 28 yards.
Hollywood Smothers would carry the rock on the next three plays going for 15, 12, and 4 yards to bring NC State to the Tennessee 20.
Just as it seemed the Wolfpack would get its first touchdown of the game, Will Brooks came up with the biggest play of the game.
The former walk-on picks off McCall and takes it all the way to the house for an 85-yard pick-six!
Brooks’ first career interception ends as a pick-six and Tennessee extends their lead 17-3 with 1:56 left in the half.
Tennessee closes the half with a career-long 45-yard field goal by Max Gilbert to go up 20-3.
To start the second half, Iamaleava completed a short pass to Ethan Davis for four yards.
Iamaleava got back to White two plays later for 22 yards to flip the field and reach NCSU’s 46-yard line.
Tennessee went for its first fourth down, and Iamaleava ran it 7 yards for a first down.
Two plays later, Iamaleava lobs it to the left side to Alabama transfer Miles Kittlesman for 15 yards as he reaches the checkered endzone.
The score also marked his first career touchdown and the Vols now lead 27-3.
Tennessee opened the third quarter and marched downfield over 10 plays covering 75 yards in 4:33 and finished with a score.
The Vols defense continued to make big plays in the third quarter.
As the defensive front collapsed the pocket on McCall, Dominic Bailey knocked the ball out of the QB’s hand as he followed through with the sack.
And then proceeded to recover the fumble!
After a do-it-all play by Baily, Tennessee took over at NCSU’s 22-yard line.
After a loss of three on third down, the Vols elected for the field goal. Gilbert split the uprights for a 36-yard FG.
Tennessee ahead 30-3.
Arion Carter recorded his third tackle of the night went he wrapped up Smoothers behind the line of scrimmage for a loss of two on the play.
Later that drive, NC State tried to convert a 4th and inches, but they never had a chance.
Tyre West and Jaxson Moi were in on the stop to bring up a turnover on downs.
The offense complemented those efforts.
On 3rd & 7 at NCSU 31, Iamaleava rushed it in for his longest run of his early career.
After the right guard set up the perfect block on the left side, Iamaleava took off as NC State was in man coverage with no safety deep or in the middle of the field and Iamaleava had all the time and space to take it in for a 31-yard score.
NC State would get their pick-six late in the third quarter.
Davin Vann got right in Iamaleava’s face and knocked his arm as Iamalaeva was releasing the ball.
It floated in the air until it came down into the hands of Aydan White who returned it for an 87-yard pick-six, 37-10 UT.
Sampson continues a dominant outing.
As Iamaleava looks downfield for a play but can’t find an open receiver, he dumps it off to Sampson who’s met by a defender at the line of scrimmage but shakes him off and takes it 21 yards!
In the opening drive of the fourth quarter, Dylan Sampson ran it for 34 yards for a score, his second of the night and the fifth time in his career he’s had multiple touchdowns in a game.
In week one, he had three against Chattanooga.
In 2023, he had four against Virginia and two against Texas San Antonio.
In 2022, he had two against Akron.
Later, Tennessee’s defense comes up with another big-time stop.
This time it came from Jermod McCoy who tackled Joly for no gain on the play and forced a turnover on downs!
Iamaleava and the offense took over at the NCSU 24-yard line.
In no time, Tennessee reached the checkered endzone once again.
Holden Staes, the Notre Dame transfer got his turn to put six on the board for the Vols and UT added to their lead 51-10.