The N.C. State Wolfpack football team suffered a significant defeat, falling 51-10 to the Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday night during the Duke’s Mayo Classic held in Charlotte at Bank of America Stadium.
In this highly anticipated clash, the 24th-ranked Wolfpack (1-0) faced off against the 14th-ranked Volunteers (1-0), but the outcome highlighted a stark disparity between the two programs. Tennessee’s performance suggested they are contenders for the College Football Playoff, while N.C. State appeared as a continuation of its struggles from recent seasons.
The Wolfpack has not secured a victory against a top-15 opponent outside of Raleigh since 2017, when they defeated Florida State. Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava was instrumental in their victory, throwing for three touchdowns and contributing to the team’s scoring success. The Volunteers managed to score over 50 points against N.C. State, an occurrence not seen since Clemson did so in 2019.
N.C. State’s only touchdown came in the second half from Aydan White, who returned an interception for a score. In contrast, Tennessee tallied six touchdowns and three field goals throughout the game, with running back Dylan Smothers rushing for two touchdowns and over 130 yards.
By halftime, Tennessee had established a commanding 20-3 lead, thanks in part to a pick-six by Will Brooks during the second quarter. After falling behind 10-3, NC State’s Grayson McCall threw an interception, which contributed to a 10-point surge to close out the half for Tennessee.
Last week, N.C. State had opened its season with a 38-21 win over Western Carolina, featuring standout performances from wide receiver KC Concepcion. Meanwhile, Tennessee had easily dispatched Chattanooga, securing a dominant 69-3 victory the previous week.
Live updates and score changes from the N.C. State vs. Tennessee matchup were anticipated as the game progressed. The Volunteers built on their lead throughout the night, with significant contributions from various players, showcasing their strength on offense.
Tennessee continued to widen the gap in the fourth quarter, breaking the 50-point mark when Iamaleava completed his second touchdown pass. As the game wore on, Tennessee’s lead ballooned, showcasing their dominance over the Wolfpack.
As the night unfolded, the Wolfpack struggled to mount a significant comeback against a well-coordinated Tennessee squad, illustrating the challenges they face moving forward in the season.