Quarterback Nico Iamaleava’s standout performance in Tennessee’s season opener has propelled the 14th-ranked Volunteers into a confident mindset as they prepare for a significant matchup against No. 24 North Carolina State in the Duke’s Mayo Classic on Saturday night in Charlotte.
Coach Josh Heupel, however, is urging his team to remain grounded, reminding them not to get overconfident. “As a competitor, you can focus on last week’s success, but in reality, you’re only as good as your next performance,” Heupel said.
Iamaleava had an exceptional first regular-season start, throwing for a school-record 314 yards and three touchdowns in the first half, leading the Vols (1-0) to a dominant 69-3 win over Chattanooga, a team ranked No. 8 in the Football Championship Subdivision.
Heupel praised Iamaleava’s precision and ability to make challenging throws, but he recognizes that a tougher test awaits against an N.C. State defense that led the ACC with 17 interceptions last year. Meanwhile, Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren isn’t worried about his team being overconfident after their narrow escape in a Week 1 game against Western Carolina.
N.C. State (1-0) trailed 21-17 heading into the fourth quarter before rallying to score the game’s final 21 points, despite struggling in the first half and facing a tough challenge on fourth-and-1 plays.
After the game, Doeren emphasized the importance of winning, despite the struggles, and acknowledged that his team’s nerves, with 22 new players on the roster, may have played a role. He hopes that the experience will help his team improve against Tennessee.
Both Tennessee and N.C. State boast experienced offensive lines, with only Florida State and Oklahoma State having more combined starts than Tennessee, and N.C. State ranking eighth in the Football Bowl Subdivision for most experienced linemen. Tennessee’s offensive line is led by center Cooper Mays, who has not allowed a sack in 15 consecutive games.
Iamaleava has a wealth of offensive options, with Tennessee’s depth chart packed with talent at wide receiver and tight end positions. His options at tight end include Ethan Davis, Holden Staes, and Miles Kitselman, while at wide receiver, the Vols feature returning players like Bru McCoy, Dont’e Thornton, and several FBS transfers.
The matchup, held in Charlotte, a crucial recruiting area for both teams, adds an extra layer of significance. N.C. State has 20 players from the region, including six starters, while Tennessee has historically recruited talent from nearby North Carolina.
N.C. State’s KC Concepcion, one of the team’s Charlotte natives, has been a standout performer, delivering three touchdowns in the win over Western Carolina. Heupel acknowledged Concepcion’s speed and playmaking abilities, noting how N.C. State effectively moves him around on the field to create opportunities.
Tennessee has thrived in early game situations under Heupel, outscoring opponents 465-169 in the first quarter during his tenure, including a 24-0 first-quarter lead in their opening game of the season.
