Tennessee Volunteers showcased an impressive defensive play during their matchup against North Carolina State in the Duke’s Mayo Classic, held at Bank of America Stadium. The game saw a pivotal moment when Tennessee’s safety, Will Brooks, intercepted a pass and returned it 85 yards for a touchdown, propelling the Volunteers to a commanding 17-3 lead.
The interception occurred in the second quarter, following a strong defensive push from Tennessee’s Joshua Josephs. As NC State quarterback Grayson McCall attempted to connect with his target, Justin Joly, Josephs’ pressure led to a high pass that Brooks intercepted, marking the first interception of his career. This crucial play came at a time when NC State was threatening to score, having advanced deep into Tennessee’s territory.
Earlier in the game, NC State managed to capitalize on a turnover by Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who threw his first career interception. The Wolfpack turned this opportunity into points with a 24-yard field goal from kicker Kanoah Viesett, narrowing Tennessee’s lead to 7-3.
Tennessee quickly responded with a field goal of their own, courtesy of Max Gilbert, who nailed a 32-yarder after a solid seven-play drive that covered 61 yards. A standout play during this drive was a 45-yard pass from Iamaleava to wide receiver Squirrel White along the NC State sideline.
The game began slowly, with both teams exchanging punts before Tennessee struck first. The Volunteers’ initial touchdown came from a 9-yard run by Dylan Sampson, which was set up by a crucial third-down conversion where Sampson caught a pass and dashed for 17 yards. This drive took 4:10 off the clock and covered a total of 62 yards.
Looking back at Iamaleava’s performance in his first career start, he had an impressive outing, completing 22 of 28 passes for a total of 314 yards and three touchdowns against Chattanooga in Week 1. His record-setting performance established a new program record for the most passing yards in a single half. Notably, Iamaleava did not play in the second half as the team began to rotate players.
Dylan Sampson also made a significant contribution to Tennessee’s offense, rushing for 124 yards on 12 carries and scoring three touchdowns. Another standout player was Dont’e Thornton, who caught three passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns.
On the other side of the field, NC State’s Grayson McCall, who transferred from Coastal Carolina, completed 26 out of 40 passes for 318 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception in their previous game against Western Carolina. The Wolfpack’s ground game was led by Jordan Waters, who rushed for 123 yards on 20 carries and scored two touchdowns. Kevin Concepcion was a key target in the passing game, catching nine passes for 121 yards and three touchdowns.
The back-and-forth nature of the game kept fans on the edge of their seats, with both teams showing flashes of brilliance. As the game progressed, Tennessee’s defense, highlighted by Brooks’ game-changing interception, proved to be a decisive factor in their performance.
As the season unfolds, both teams will look to build on their performances, with Tennessee aiming to maintain their momentum and NC State seeking to rebound from this tough matchup.
