Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) looks to throw during Tennessee’s game against Chattanooga in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024.
No. 14 Tennessee and No. 24 North Carolina State are certainly intrigued by what awaits them in the second week of the season.
The Volunteers and Wolfpack will meet Saturday night in Charlotte, North Carolina, in a matchup that team staff and fans are eagerly awaiting.
“These are big games,” NC State coach Dave Doeren said. “As a coach, you’re tested. It’s your team against their team. You’ve got good players on both sides. It’s a game that’s obviously played in our state against a team whose state border touches ours. So there’s a lot at stake in a game like this, and that’s what it’s all about.”
The volunteers agree.
“I’m looking forward to being a part of it,” Tennessee linebacker Jeremiah Telander said. “I’m looking forward to getting back together with the guys and playing. It’s going to be fun.”
Breaking down the details gets a little more alarming for these teams.
“They probably have the best defensive front we’ll ever play when you look at the depth and talent they have on their defensive line,” Doeren said of the Volunteers.
Both teams faced teams from the Southern Conference’s Football Championship Subdivision. While Tennessee routed Chattanooga 69-3, the Wolfpack had a tougher task against Western Carolina and won 38-21.
But it did give quarterback Grayson McCall, a transfer from Coastal Carolina, a chance to play in an NC State uniform before facing the Volunteers. For McCall, the game against the Volunteers will be played in his hometown.
“I love the way he handles things, the way he communicates on the sidelines, his competitive spirit,” Doeren said.
Although McCall is still adjusting, Wolfpack receiver KC Concepcion started strong. He caught nine passes for 121 yards and three touchdowns last week.
Tennessee coach Josh Heupel isn’t proclaiming everything was fine for the Volunteers in Week 1.
“You can live off what everyone talked about last week, but the reality is you’re only as good as your next performance,” he said.
Tennessee freshman Nico Iamaleava was a standout in the season opener. He was named Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week after completing 22 of 28 passes for 314 yards and three touchdowns.
“He’s got a lot of talent,” Doeren said. “It’s fun to watch.”
But there is also limited material for the Wolfpack to study in Iamaleava.
“You can watch Coach Heupel’s offense for a long time and see what it’s like, but the players in it are obviously going to be the ones that make it work,” Doeren said. “But the scheme itself hasn’t changed much over the years.”
Heupel is counting on Iamaleava to make improvements, and admittedly only part of the playbook was exposed in the first game.
“He’s a young quarterback who will continue to improve,” Heupel said. “We have a big test coming up this week at NC State.”
NC State’s secondary will be without safety Devan Boykin, who will be out until September while he recovers from last season’s knee injury.
The offensive lines are among the most experienced in college football.
“This game will be won or lost in that area,” Doeren said. “There’s no doubt about it.”
NC State has a 3-6 record all-time at the NFL’s home in Charlotte.
“I’m excited for both fan bases,” Doeren said. “It’s going to be a very passionate group on both sides and it’s going to be a fun game to be a part of.”
The teams have met just once in the modern era, with Tennessee winning in a neutral-site matchup to begin the 2012 season in Atlanta.
–Field level media
