Once Tennessee got rolling, it was all Volunteers.
The Vols stormed to a 51-10 victory over North Carolina State in the Duke’s Mayo Classic in Charlotte on Saturday evening.
When it looked like the Wolfpack were about to score to tie things late in the second quarter, walk-on Will Brooks intercepted a State pass and raced 85 yards for a touchdown return for a score to give Tennessee a two-possession lead with 3:29 left in the first half.
Tennessee added a 45-yard field goal from Max Gilbert to end the half.
The momentum stayed with the Vols as Nico Iamaleava found Miles Kitselman for a 15-yard touchdown on the opening drive of the second half and Tennessee held a 27-3 advantage early in the third.
That proved to be the turning point as the Vols never looked back with a stingy defense leading the way.
Dylan Sampson had a night as he had 20 carries for 132 yards with two touchdowns – including a nine-yard score in the first quarter to give Tennessee a 7-0 lead as well as a 34-yard score in the fourth.
Iamaleava was also sharp once again as he went 16-of-23 for 211 yards and two scores through the air and also added 65 rushing yards on eight carries with a touchdown.
Holden States and Kitselman had catches for touchdowns for Tennessee.
The Tennessee defense thwarted the Wolfpack all night as they held NC State to just 143 offensive yards with only 39 of those on the ground.
Outside of a 24-yard field goal in the second quarter, State’s lone points came off an 87-yard interception return for a touchdown by Aydan White late in the third after Iamaleava’s arm was hit during a pass attempt.
Grayson McCall was 15-of-22 with 104 yards for the Wolfpack, while Kevin Concepcion had 53 yards on five carries.
The Vols return to action next Saturday against Kent State inside Neyland Stadium.
