CHARLOTTE – If the Nico Iamaleava sequel is anything like his Week 1 performance for Tennessee football , the Vols will have their first significant win of the 2024 season.
But that's easier said than done as No. 12 Tennessee faces No. 23 NC State at Bank of America Stadium in the Duke's Mayo Classic.
It is Iamaleava's third career start and second against a Top 25 team. He led the Vols to a Citrus Bowl win over No. 17 Iowa to finish the 2023 season. This is also a homecoming game for UT star pass rusher James Pearce, who was a dominant high school player in Charlotte.
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Tennessee vs NC State score updates
This section will be updated.
Nico Iamaleava finds Miles Kitselman for a 15-yard touchdown connection to open the scoring in the second half. This game is well in hand for the Vols, now leading 27-3.
After 30 minutes of action in Charlotte at the Duke Mayo Classic, No. 12 Tennessee leads No. 23 NC State 20-3 after Vols kicker Max Gilbert hit a 45-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.
Tennessee-NC State has reached the two-minute timeout at Bank of America Stadium, with the Vols out in front 17-3. NC State has a fourth-and-13 on its own 15-yard line coming out of the timeout.
As noted by Knox News' Mike Wilson, Jackson Lampley was injured on the extra-point attempt following Will Brooks' pick-six return. The game was stopped briefly as trainers came out to look at Lampley.
Walk-on Will Brooks picks off NC State quarterback Grayson McCall and brings it to the house for an 85-yard interception return. Great timing by Brooks on picking up the pass from McCall.
No. 12 Tennessee now leads No. 23 NC State 17-3 in the second quarter.
Vols respond with a 32-yard field goal from kicker Max Gilbert. No. 12 Tennessee now leads No. 23 NC State 10-3 with 6:33 remaining in the first half.
Nico Iamaleava attempts to go to Squirrel White on third-and-5, but misses him. The missed throw came after he connected with White for a 45-yard reception earlier in the drive.
NC State kicker Kanoah Vinesett hits the 24-yard field goal to put the Wolfpack on the board at 7-3 with 9:04 remaining in the first half.
Tennessee defensive back Ricky Gibson III was called for defensive pass interference on the drive, helping NC State get into the red zone. The scoring drive was set up by Bishop Fitzgerald picking off Nico Iamaleava. A six-play drive for 40 yards for NC State.
NC State's Bishop Fitzgerald picks off Nico Iamaleava, turning the ball over to the Wolfpack. It is the first career pick for Iamaleava. Fitzgerald returned the interception for 29 yards.
NC State can't handle the pressure from Tennessee's defense as it goes three-and-out and punts the ball back to the Vols. Jakobe Thomas picked up a 5-yard sack on the drive, the second of the night for Tennessee.
Dylan Sampson's touchdown sends Tennessee into the second quarter with a 7-0 lead over No. 23 NC State at Bank of America Stadium. Nico Iamaleava was 6 of 8 passing for 55 yards in the first half.
NC State has the ball on its own 21-yard line with a second-and-14.
Tennessee is on the board as Dylan Sampson runs up the middle for the 9-yard rushing touchdown. Big play of the drive came on third-and-14 when Nico Iamaleava threw a quick toss pass to Sampson for 17 yards as NC State brought the blitz.
It was a nine-play scoring drive for the Vols that went for 62 yards and took 4:10 off the game clock. Iamaleava was 6 of 6 passing for 55 yards on the drive.
Three-and-out for the Wolfpack, resulting in back-to-back punts on their first two drives. It was a three-play drive that lost a yard and went for 1:13 of game time.
Nico Iamaleava tries to go deep on third-and-3 but overthrows Vols wide receiver Bru McCoy, leading to a punt for the Vols. NC State takes over at its 9-yard line.
Tensions seem to be already high between the Vols and the Wolfpack as the officials throw a plethora of fouls after Nico Iamaleava runs out of bounds into the NC State bench. Penalties were offset as flags came from both teams.
ESPN's broadcast mentioned that an NC State player took a swing at a Vols player.
Tennessee's defense holds NC State scoreless on its first drive of the night. Vols dialed up the pressure on both second and third down to force the punt. Omarr Norman-Lott picked up the 7-yard sack on second down.
It was a 12-play drive for the Wolfpack that took 6:49 off the game clock. NC State went 29 yards on the drive.
Grayson McCall and the Wolfpack offense head onto the field first. NC State starts the night on its own 25-yard line.
Kick-off in Charlotte is just around the corner as Tennessee and Nico Iamaleava take the field vs. NC State.
As noted by Knox News' Adam Sparks, Vols running back/kick returner Cam Seldon and linebacker Kalib Perry are out for Saturday's game against NC State.
Here are the picks made by ESPN's "College GameDay" crew and guest picker Michael Phelps earlier Saturday for Tennessee-NC State:
- Desmond Howard: Tennessee
- Lee Corso: Tennessee
- Pat McAfee: Tennessee
- Nick Saban: Tennessee
- Michael Phelps: Tennessee
- Kirk Herbstreit: Did not pick (calling game)
Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava has arrived at the stadium. Iamaleava is coming off an impressive season opener vs. Chattanooga, against whom he completed nearly 80% of his passes while throwing for 314 yards and three touchdowns.
As previously reported by Knox News, the Vols are rocking with the all-white uniform in the Duke Mayo Classic vs. NC State on Saturday.
Here's a look at the playing field at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The Vols-Wolfpack matchup is the second game of Week 2 between top-25 teams, the other being No. 3 Texas at No. 9 Michigan.
Tennessee vs NC State time today
- Date: Saturday, Sept. 7
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Bank of America Stadium (75,037) in Charlotte
What channel is Tennessee vs NC State game on today?
Tennessee vs. NC State will be broadcast nationally on ABC. Play-by-play announcer Rece Davis, analyst Kirk Herbstreit will call the game from the booth at Bank of America Stadium with Holly Rowe reporting from the sideline. Streaming options for the game include ESPN+ and FUBO , which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Tennessee vs NC State history
- Series record: Tennessee leads 2-1
- Tennessee last win: 2012 (35-12)
- NC State last win : 1911 (16-0)
Tennessee vs NC State prediction
Tennessee 31, NC State 20: If the Vols are back to lighting up the scoreboard against Top 25 opponents (see 2022 season), this is their first chance to show it. Nico Iamaleava won't be near-perfect like Week 1, but he'll be dynamic. And James Pearce should bring the heat on NC State QB Grayson McCall. Check out our matchups and another game prediction.
Tennessee vs NC State betting odds
Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Saturday:
- Spread: Tennessee -7.5
- Over/under : 60.5 points
- Moneyline: Tennessee -300
Tennessee vs NC State injury updates
Cornerback Rickey Gibson, who was projected as a starter in preseason, is set to return from a minor injury that kept him out of the Week 1 game against Chattanooga. Freshman wide receivers Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley and freshman linebackers Edwin Spillman and Jordan Burns missed the Chattanooga game, but there is no update to their status.
Check here close to kickoff for Tennessee injury updates.
Tennessee vs NC State weather update
The forecast calls 75 degrees and cloudy skies at kickoff.
Tennessee football 2024 schedule
- Aug. 31: Chattanooga (W, 69-3)
- Sept. 7: vs. NC State (in Charlotte)
- Sept. 14: vs. Kent State
- Sept. 21: at Oklahoma
- Oct. 5: at Arkansas
- Oct. 12: Florida
- Oct. 19: Alabama
- Nov. 2: Kentucky
- Nov. 9: Mississippi State
- Nov. 16: at Georgia
- Nov. 23: UTEP
- Nov. 30: at Vanderbilt
NC State football 2024 schedule
- Aug. 29: Western Carolina (W, 38-21)
- Sept. 7: Tennessee (in Charlotte)
- Sept. 14: Louisiana Tech
- Sept. 21: at Clemson
- Sept. 28: Northern Illinois
- Oct. 5: Wake Forest
- Oct. 12: Syracuse
- Oct. 19: at Cal
- Nov. 2: Stanford
- Nov. 9: Duke
- Nov. 21: at Georgia Tech
- Nov. 28: at North Carolina
Tennessee football news
Players who blocked James Pearce in high school tell tales
Adams: Reader wants Iamaleava's name pronounced correctly
How Tennessee regained recruiting foothold in North Carolina
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee vs NC State score today: Live updates, highlights from Week 2 game
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