<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=03fwQm_0vICdYK900" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=03fwQm_0vICdYK900" width="1182" height="619" >After crushing <a href="https://247sports.com/college/chattanooga/">Chattanooga</a> in the season opener, football faces its first true test of the 2024 college football season in a top-25 matchup against NC State. The Vols and Wolfpack will square off in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in a primetime kickoff (7:30 p.m.) on ABC. To look back at the previous game and set the stage for the week ahead, fourth-year Tennessee head football coach <a href="https://247sports.com/Coach/josh-heupel-173/">Josh Heupel</a> met with reporters shortly after noon on Monday for his regular press conference.Tennessee rolled up 718 yards on offense in overwhelming its lower-level competition on Saturday at Neyland Stadium. It was a struggle for NC State, though, as <a href="https://247sports.com/college/western-carolina/">Western Carolina</a> led in the fourth quarter before the Wolfpack scored 21 straight points to turn the game around. NC State played on Thursday night, so it had an extra couple of days to prepare for Tennessee.The SEC-ACC matchup is the first meeting between the two programs since a <a href="https://247sports.com/article/rapid-review-tennessee-vols-35-nc-state-wolfpack-21-88227/">35-21 Tennessee win</a> at the Georgia Dome in the 2012 opener.Here is a recap of what Heupel said looking back at the Chattanooga win and ahead at the NC State matchup:&gt; Opening statement: Good start this past weekend. Our fans did a great job. Our players were in this morning learning from the field. Got a big game against a good opponent this week. It’ll be a great test for us with how they play defense. They’ve got an experienced quarterback and playmakers around him. We’re excited about this test. I look forward to seeing Vol nation show up and it should be a great contest.&gt; On NC State wide receiver <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/kevin-concepcion-46116954/">Kevin Concepcion</a>: He has elite speed and great hands. They do a good job of moving him around on offense and get him into space. He’s strong and explosive. We have to know where he’s at throughout the game.&gt; On the emphasis on the passing game in the middle of the field: It’s been a part of our offense. We weren’t as efficient there last season as we wanted to be. Had a good start there this week. There’s things on offense we can be better at and we’ve got to make improvements. This is a good team we’re playing this week so we have be ready.&gt; On <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/nico-iamaleava-46101236/">Nico Iamaleava</a>: He was accurate and had his eyes in the right spot. He hit windows between defenders and between the second and third levels. He played well in Week 1 and has an opportunity to learn and grow and get ready for a good team. He’s a young quarterback that will continue to get better.&gt; On Tennessee’s defensive line: Bunch of guys played for us and we’ll continue to rotate. They all played hard and destroyed blocks. We have to get better at some things, but our technique and effort were really good. Our linebackers played physical and played downhill, too.&gt; On the running backs finishing runs: I wasn’t surprised by how hard they ran. Each of them have a different story as far as their progress physically this offseason. Through camp as they worked themselves back, I felt like they were executing like we wanted to at the end of the runs. They can grow from some things watching the film, but excited with how they played.&gt; On the tight ends against Chattanooga: <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Ethan-Davis-46110318">Ethan Davis</a> made some nice plays. The other guys did well in space. All three of them were solid in the core and they were in protections sometimes as well. Like that group and we have to continue to grow and get better.&gt; Heupel said as a competitor you can live on your last performance, but you’re only as good as your next one.&gt; On NC State on defense: They do a good job in zone coverage and can get home with their pass-rush.&gt; On the offensive line and <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/lance-heard-46116355/">Lance Heard</a>: We played solid. We rotated early in the game. There’s some things we can do better, but solid first game. Heard was really comfortable in what we were doing in our tempo. He performed really well.&gt; On cornerback <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/rickey-gibson-iii-46118230/">Rickey Gibson III</a>: He went through warmups but we just wanted to hold him and some other guys. We’ve got a long season ahead of us so we held him out of that game. Expect him to be ready to roll this week and some other guys, too.&gt; On kicker <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/max-gilbert-46136312/">Max Gilbert</a> winning the job: We feel good with him. We have a lot of confidence in him. He has a lot of confidence. He’s got a smooth swing and is consistent, and we trust him.</div></body>

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Media Monday: Quick-hitters from Josh Heupel’s press conference to kick off NC State week

After crushing Chattanooga in the season opener, football faces its first true test of the 2024 college football season in a top-25 matchup against NC State. The Vols and Wolfpack will square off in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in a primetime kickoff (7:30 p.m.) on ABC. To look back at the previous game and set the stage for the week ahead, fourth-year Tennessee head football coach Josh Heupel met with reporters shortly after noon on Monday for his regular press conference.

Media Monday: Quick-hitters from Josh Heupel’s press conference to kick off NC State week

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