Tennessee is viewed as one of the top programs in the SEC — and with Nico Iamaleava at as the Vols’ new starting QB — there’s an optimism around the team and a belief that this 2024 squad could compete for the College Football Playoff crown.
The Vols entered Saturday night’s road test against a solid NC State team as a two-score favorite, but anyone who follows college football knew Tennessee wouldn’t just march into Charlotte and dominate from start to finish.
While Tennessee is known for its high-powered offense under Josh Heupel, the defense has been the difference against the Wolfpack so far. The Vols’ defense has held NC State to just 116 total yards of offense through two quarters, allowing just 3 conversions of the 8 attempts the Wolfpack have had on third down.
The momentum swung in favor of Tennessee as the Vols led 10-3 with just over 3 minutes left before halftime and the Wolfpack were threatening to score, with a second down at the Tennessee 16-yard-line.
But on 2nd-and-6, NC State QB Grayson McCall rolled to his right and tried to loft a ball to his WR but Will Brooks jumped the route and took the interception to the house for an 85-yard touchdown that changed the game.
Here’s video of the big play:
https://twitter.com/Vol_Football/status/1832586201913606156
Tennessee added another field goal before the second quarter expired, giving the Vols’ a comfortable 20-3 lead at halftime.