The Tennessee Vols were indeed ready for primetime on Saturday night, both literally and figuratively. In front of a national television audience, the Vols absolutely dominated the NC State Wolfpack, rolling to a 51-10 win in Bank of America Stadium.
It was the first chance for the 2024 Vols to show what kind of team they are against a ranked Power Five Four opponent with a capable quarterback and a (supposedly) decent roster. Certainly a step up in competition from last week’s 69-3 shellacking of Chattanooga in Neyland Stadium.
Or so it appeared on paper. On the field, the result wasn’t all that different from the prior week. And it had a lot to do with three particular areas: a defensive line that is chock full of capable options, an offensive line that appears ready to impose its will over four quarters, and a quarterback capable of shaking off adversity and making big plays.
All of those were on display on Saturday night, and it was the defensive line that perhaps stuck out to me the most. I expected them to roll guys in all game and give the Wolfpack problems, as I noted in my game prediction, but this went beyond even my expectations. Dominic Bailey had a strip sack and recovery. Omarr Norman-Lott had a sack from the interior. Omari Thomas had 1.5 tackles for loss along with a big pass break up in the first half. As a group, the defense had 13 tackles for loss. Thirteen! And it largely had to do with the Vols’ front just driving the Pack line backwards. An absolutely dominant performance.
Although it took a little bit, the Vols’ run game really got cranked up over the last two and a half quarters of the game. Tennessee ran for 249 yards on 44 carries, with Dylan Sampson having a huge game with 132 of those yards and two scores. But it was Tennessee’s line that deserves a lion’s share of that praise, blasting holes open and delivering on their blocking assignments correctly and with conviction. In pass protection, after a bit of a shaky first quarter that saw a little bit of pressure, the line was rock solid. No sacks allowed for the game.
Last, but surely not least, Nico Iamaleava showed out again against a notable defense. Eight months after putting four total touchdowns on Iowa through the air and on the ground, the redshirt freshman had another big day with his arm and legs.
But it was what Josh Heupel noted after the game that is more important than that. Heupel noted that Nico faced some level of adversity for the first time in his UT career after an errant and forced throw in the second quarter that resulted in an interception. It really was at that point where Nico got better, leading the Vols on scoring drives the next two times he had the ball before the half, then taking the Vols on a 75-yard touchdown drive to open the third quarter. 27-3 lead, ballgame. That’s how you respond to making a mistake.
Those are three big things we saw that the Vols are going to need this year if they’re going to make a run to their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance. Dominating play on both lines of scrimmage and a quarterback who can shake off mistakes and make plays.
Good things to have as the level of competition begins to ramp up later this month with the start of conference play.
Go Vols!