Nico Iamaleava shined in Tennessee football's season opener win vs. Chattanooga, as he set a program record for passing yards in a single half (314) and completed nearly 80% of his passes while throwing for three touchdowns.
Now the Vols quarterback looks to replicate that success on national TV on Saturday vs. NC State in a primetime slot, and give Tennessee its first Power Four win of the season. But it won't happen on Rocky Top or inside Neyland Stadium.
So where are Vols taking on the Wolfpack ?
REQUIRED READING: What Nico Iamaleava does better than Joe Milton for Tennessee football. It matters vs NC State
The Vols (1-0) are set to travel up to the Queen City of Charlotte, North Carolina to Bank of America Stadium to take on the Wolfpack, who fell out of the national polls this week despite a Week 1 win against Western Carolina Saturday.
It is the first time that both programs are facing each other since Cordarrelle Patterson scored two touchdowns vs. the Wolfpack inside the old Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Aug. 31, 2012, to give the Vols a 35-21 win in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game.
Here's what you need to know on why Tennessee is playing NC State in Charlotte, North Carolina at Bank of America Stadium in Week 2, including the history of the Duke Mayo Classic and how to watch the Vols vs. Wolfpack:
Watch Tennessee football vs. NC State live with Fubo (free trial)
Tennessee vs. NC State location
- Stadium: Bank of America Stadium
- Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Tennessee is taking on NC State inside Bank of America Stadium, the home of the Carolina Panthers, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bank of America Stadium has a capacity of 75,037 per the stadium's website — which ranks as the sixth largest NFL stadium by capacity.
Why is Tennessee vs. NC State football playing in Charlotte?
Saturday's primetime top-25 matchup between the Vols and the Wolfpack is part of the Duke Mayo Classic, an annual college football showcase game. The Duke Mayo Classic has typically been played in Week 1 of the college football season, but this year is taking place during Week 2 of the season.
The game is put on by the Charlotte Sports Foundation (CSF), which also puts on the annual Duke Mayo Bowl during bowl season between a team from the Big Ten and the ACC.
It was announced back on March 21, 2023 that the Vols would be playing the Wolfpack in the Duke Mayo Classic. Per the press release of the game, Tennessee was originally scheduled to play Oklahoma in Week 2 of this season but that game was postponed due to the fact the Sooners were joining the SEC as a full-time member.
"We are thrilled to host a dynamic regional match-up that is within driving distance for these two passionate fan bases," CSF's executive director Danny Morrison said in a 2023 statement. "Tennessee and NC State have incredible ties to Charlotte and bringing them together to play in Bank of America Stadium is going to be an awesome experience. Games like these don't happen without an amazing title sponsor like Duke's Mayo and the support of the universities and our partners."
This is the second time that both Tennessee and NC State will be participating in the Duke Mayo Classic. The Vols last played in the Duke Mayo Classic in 2018, when they lost to No. 17 West Virginia 40-14.
"We appreciate the Charlotte Sports Foundation and NC State on executing a game of this caliber on short notice," Tennessee vice chancellor and director of athletics Danny White said in a statement. "This is another terrific opportunity for our football program and Vol Nation to showcase our brand in one of college football's perennial marquee contests."
Tennessee is scheduled to play in the 2028 Duke May Classic vs. West Virginia.
REQUIRED READING: How Tennessee football regained North Carolina recruiting foothold before playing NC State
Are Tennessee and NC State getting paid to play in Duke Mayo Classic?
Yes. Both teams are receiving a payment of the greater of $4 million or 45% of the net revenues from the game for their participation in the Duke Mayo Classic, according to a contract for the game that was obtained by the USA TODAY Network. Both teams also agreed to purchase 27,500 tickets for the game itself.
Per Tennessee's initial press release for the game, the payment was directed to funding money for updates to the Vols training facility, the Anderson Training Center.
What channel is Tennessee vs. NC State on tonight? TV channel, streaming options
ABC will air Tennessee-NC State in the Duke Mayo Classic on Saturday from North Carolina. You can also stream the game on ESPN+ or on Fubo, which carries ABC and offers a free trial to select users.
"College GameDay" host Rece Davis will once again fill in for Chris Fowler on the broadcast as Fowler is broadcasting the U.S. Open in New York. Davis will be joined by Kirk Herbstreit and Holly Rowe on the call on ABC.
Note: Those who have DirecTV will not be able to watch the game on ABC due to an ongoing TV carrier fee dispute with Disney, who owns ABC and the ESPN family of networks, that has the channel in a blackout. DirecTV dropped the Disney-owned channels last Sunday during the U.S. Open and prior to the LSU-USC game in Las Vegas.
What time is Tennessee vs. NC State on tonight?
- Date: Saturday, Sept. 7
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
The Vols and the Wolfpack will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 7 from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
History of Duke Mayo Classic
The Duke Mayo Classic has become
Here's a look at past results of the Duke Mayo Classic, including future matchups in the showcase event:
- 2015: South Carolina 17, North Carolina 13
- 2017: South Carolina 35, NC State Wolfpack 28
- 2018: No. 17 West Virginia 40, Tennessee 14
- 2019: North Carolina 24, South Carolina 20
- 2020: Canceled due to COVID-19
- 2021: Appalachian State 33, East Carolina 19
- 2021: No. 5 Georgia 10, Clemson 3
- 2022: North Carolina Central 28, North Carolina A&T 13
- 2023: North Carolina 31, South Carolina 17
- 2024: No. 15 Tennessee vs. No. 24 NC State
- 2025: Appalachian State vs. Charlotte
- 2027: North Carolina A&T vs. North Carolina Central
- 2028: Tennessee vs. West Virginia
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Why is Tennessee-NC State in Bank of America Stadium? Game part of Duke Mayo Classic
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