Postgame Notes: #14/12 Tennessee 51, #24/23 NC State 10

TENNESSEE FOOTBALL POSTGAME NOTES
Sept. 7, 2024 | Charlotte, N.C. | Bank of America Stadium
FINAL SCORE: No. 14/12 Tennessee 51, No. 24/23 NC State 10

General Notes

Saturday's attendance at Bank of America Stadium: 72,730
Tennessee's all-time on-field record improved to 878-414-53 with Saturday's win (NCAA record: 867-414-53).
The Vols improved to 4-1 against Atlantic Coast Conference opponents under head coach Josh Heupel, including four consecutive wins over ACC foes since 2022. During that streak, UT has outscored Pitt, Clemson, Virginia and NC State by a combined total of 165-64.
In the Heupel era, Tennessee owns a 4-1 record in neutral site contests.
UT earned its ninth win over an AP Top 25 opponent under Heupel and its most lopsided win over a ranked foe in the Heupel era. The 41-point margin of victory was the highest for the Vols against any AP ranked team since defeating No. 9 Florida 45-3 on Oct. 13, 1990.
- The win marked UT's highest margin of victory against a ranked opponent away from home since downing No. 18 Auburn 42-0 on the road in 1980.
- UT's 41-point margin of victory on Saturday was its third-highest against a ranked opponent in school history since the AP poll began in 1936.
Tennessee improved to 3-1 in the all-time series against NC State, including three-straight wins over the Wolfpack (13-0 on 9/29/1939; 35-12 on 8/31/2012; 51-10 on 9/7/2024).
Tennessee secured its 12th straight victory over a non-conference opponent, representing its longest streak against non-conference foes since also winning 12 straight from 2015-17.
- Since 2021, the Vols are 15-2 in non-conference play under Heupel. Tennessee has outscored non-SEC foes 823-246 during that stretch.

First-Time Starters

Two Vols made their first starts for Tennessee on Saturday. Junior DL Joshua Josephs earned his first career start at LEO, while junior TE Holden Staes earned his first start as a Vol at tight end. Staes previously started nine games in two seasons at Notre Dame.

Vol Captains/Coin Toss

Tennessee's team captains for Saturday's game: OL Cooper Mays, LB Keenan Pili, LS Matthew Salansky and DL Elijah Simmons.
Tennessee won the toss and elected to defer to the second half. NC State received the opening kickoff, and Tennessee defended the southeast end zone.

Team Offensive Notes

The Vols finished Saturday's game with 249 rushing yards as a team, the 25th game of the Josh Heupel era producing 200-plus yards on the ground. Tennessee owns a 23-2 record in those contests, including 17 wins in a row when reaching that mark.
In addition to paving the way for the rushing attack, Tennessee's offensive line did not allow a sack for the first time since the 2022 regular season finale at Vanderbilt.
Tennessee eclipsed 50 points for the second consecutive game and finished the contest with 460 yards of total offense. Under Heupel, UT has scored 50-plus 12 times and totaled 400-plus yards 31 times.
UT's veteran tight end transfer tandem of Miles Kitselman and Holden Staes each hauled in a receiving touchdown in the victory.
- Tennessee's tight ends have scored at least one receiving touchdown in four straight games, dating back to last year's regular season finale vs. Vanderbilt.
- In the Heupel era (2021-present), tight ends have accounted for 24 touchdowns – 19 receiving and five rushing. From 2018-20, UT tight ends combined for six scores.
Tennessee held a 7-0 lead over the Wolfpack through the first quarter. In the Heupel era, the Vols have outscored opponents 472-169 in the opening stanza – including 31-0 this season.

Individual Offensive Notes

Junior RB Dylan Sampson posted his second-straight 100-yard, multi-touchdown effort on the ground – handling 20 carries for 132 yards and two rushing touchdowns.
- The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native has eclipsed 100 yards rushing in three-straight contests dating back to the 2024 Citrus Bowl win vs. Iowa.
- Sampson also pulled in three receptions for 37 yards, finishing with a game-high and career-high 169 all-purpose yards.
After making his first start as a Vol, junior tight end Holden Staes capped Saturday's scoring with an 18-yard touchdown reception – his first touchdown as a Vol and fifth of his career.
- Staes owns three career receiving touchdowns against NC State after logging two last season for Notre Dame.
On Tennessee's opening drive of the second half, Nico Iamaleava connected with tight end Miles Kitselman on a 15-yard passing touchdown. It was Kitselman's first career touchdown at the FBS level, and he finished the game with three catches for 39 yards.
WR Squirrel White eclipsed a milestone in Saturday's game, hauling in his 100th career reception on a 45-yard pass from Iamaleava midway through the second quarter. The play set up a field goal scoring opportunity that put the Vols ahead 10-3 with 6:33 remaining in the first half.
- White finished the contest with two catches for a team-high 67 yards.

Team Defensive Notes

Tennessee limited the Wolfpack to just 143 yards of total offense (104 passing, 39 rushing) – the fewest yards allowed during the Josh Heupel era.
- NC State's 143 yards of total offense were the fewest allowed by Tennessee against an AP ranked opponent since allowing 110 vs. No. 11 Auburn on Sept. 29, 1973.
- UT's 39 rushing yards allowed marked the 19th time surrendering less than 100 yards under defensive coordinator Tim Banks. Dating back to 2022, the Vols have won their last 13 games when holding an opponent under 100 yards rushing.
The Vols were relentless in the backfield, totaling 13 tackles for loss which marked the second-most TFLs in a single game under Heupel and Banks. Tennessee had 14 vs. Austin Peay last season on Sept. 9.
- Since the start of the 2021 season, Tennessee has racked up 315.0 tackles for loss (7.68 per game).

Individual Defensive Notes

Redshirt senior DB Will Brooks nabbed his first career interception and returned it 85 yards for a touchdown to put the Vols ahead 17-3 with 3:29 remaining in the third quarter.
- It was Tennessee's first pick-six of the season and the eighth of the Heupel era. The 85-yard return was the 10th longest INT return in Tennessee history and longest for the Vols since Daniel Bituli had a 97-yard pick-six at Alabama in 2017.
- UT has scored nine defensive touchdowns under Heupel and defensive coordinator Tim Banks and improved to 7-0 when recording a defensive score.
Redshirt senior LB Keenan Pili logged his 200th career tackle in Saturday's contest, finishing the game with four total stops. His career total stands at 200 after logging 190 in four seasons at BYU and 10 in three games at Tennessee.
Redshirt senior DL Dominic Bailey forced a turnover with 8:11 remaining in the third quarter with a strip sack and fumble recovery at the NC State 22-yard line. It was the first forced fumble, first solo sack and second fumble recovery of his collegiate career.

Special Teams Notes

Redshirt freshman placekicker Max Gilbert knocked three of his four field goal attempts through the uprights, making from 32, 45 and 26 yards throughout the contest. The 45-yarder was a career-long for the Memphis native in his second appearance for the Vols.
Squirrel White was effective in the punt return game, logging three returns for a career-best 58 yards – including a career-long 31-yard return in the fourth quarter.

Career Highs

The following players set or tied career highs in the respective statistical categories listed below:

Offense

RB DeSean Bishop
- 10 rushing attempts
QB Nico Iamaleava
- 65 rushing yards
TE Miles Kitselman
- 3 receptions
- 39 receiving yards
- 1 receiving touchdown
RB Dylan Sampson
- 169 all-purpose yards

Defense/Special Teams

DL Dominic Bailey
- 3 tackles (ties career high)
- 1.0 sack
- 1 forced fumble
- 1 fumble recovery (ties career high)
DB Will Brooks
- 2 passes defensed
- 1 interception
- 1 touchdown (pick-six)
LB Arion Carter
- 1.5 tackles for loss
- 1 pass defensed (ties career high)
DL Bryson Eason
- 4 tackles (ties career high)
DB Edrees Farooq
- 1.0 tackle for loss (ties career high)
DB Jakobe Thomas
- 1 sack (first of career)
- 1.0 tackles for loss (ties career high)
DL Omari Thomas
- 1.5 tackles for loss (ties career high)

University of Tennessee Athletics

Postgame Notes: #14/12 Tennessee 51, #24/23 NC State 10

Players Mentioned

Dominic Bailey

DeSean Bishop

Will Brooks

Arion Carter

Bryson Eason

Edrees Farooq

Max Gilbert

Nico Iamaleava

Joshua Josephs

Miles Kitselman

Cooper Mays

Keenan Pili

Matthew Salansky

Dylan Sampson

Elijah Simmons

Holden Staes

Jakobe Thomas

Omari Thomas

Squirrel White

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