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Tennessee vs NC State Offensive Grade Report

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Tennessee vs NC State Offensive Grade Report


The Tennessee Volunteers had a big win over the North Carolina State Wolfpack on Saturday night as the game concluded with a victory by 41 points. The offense found its true self in the second half as the majority of the scoring came in the third quarter as the Vols put up 17 points.

Some position groups are to be thanked more than others. So, let’s get into it with this week’s offensive grade report.

Quarterback: B-

Nico Iamaleava didn’t have exactly the game you’d hope for, as he did just a little over a week ago when he and the Vols took on the Chattanooga Mocs. However, it was good enough to get the job done. We saw tons of bright spots including a 31-yard TD run up the middle behind great blocking from the line up front. He had some solid passes as well including a 45-yard pass that was caught by Squirrel White, responding the possession after one of his two interceptions. Miles Kitselman and Holden Staes both had TD receptions from the talented QB placing a good ball in their hands.

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The issue with Iamaleava felt like the jitters; at times, it seemed he was holding the ball a bit long. He also turned the ball over twice in this game one of which was not entirely his fault as he took a big hit in the backfield which resulted in the Wolfpack gaining six more points off of a defensive touchdown from Aydan White which went 87 yards to the end zone.

However, the other one you can discredit him for is that he was targeting Bru McCoy across the middle, and the ball was picked off by Bishop Fitzgerald early on in the game, resulting in a solid return of 29 yards. The mistakes made aren’t all that concerning as the good from Iamaleava still showed as he had three touchdowns on the day however the mistakes must be acknowledged.

Running Backs: A

The running game was rather efficient throughout the game as star back and third-year player Dylan Sampson was the headline back as expected as he finished the game with two touchdowns 132 yards and 20 carries on the day. His longest run was 34 yards, an electric touchdown that he bounced to the outside to inflict more misery on both Wolfpack players and fans. He was everything you’d hope for him to be as on average he was averaging 6.6 yards per carry which is very good considering his amount of carries due to Cameron Seldon not being available to go for this one.

This meant that the primary backup for the game would then be former “Mr. Football” winner in the state of Tennessee DeSean Bishop who had 42 yards on 10 carries. Not a bad night for Bishop who spent last season with a season-ending injury so to see him getting in the mix early on this season is huge and he stepped up big time with Seldon being absent.

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Wide Receivers: C

The least impressive group from the contest was the wide receivers. This is due to the fact that a few players you’d expect more out of didn’t produce like you’d hoped. This starts with Dont’e Thornton Jr. who was coming off of his best Tennessee career game. Thornton didn’t get as many reps as some of the others. However, when he did he simply wasn’t producing. He didn’t have a catch on the day .

Next up would be arguably the most disappointing performance… with Bru McCoy. McCoy had the opportunity for a few big plays that didn’t his way. He could’ve had a two-touchdown day as on one he got behind a NC State defender but couldn’t connect with Iamleava. A second touchdown opportunity came in the form of a redzone opportunity when Iamaleava found McCoy and though he caught the ball, failed to keep his feet in bounds. McCoy ended the day with one catch for 10 yards.

Squirrel White was perhaps the bright spot in the unit on Saturday night, making a spectacular catch on a switch release down the sideline, diving to make the grab.

Offensive Line: A-

Overall it was a good day for the line despite Iamaleava taking a few hits in the backfield. NC State’s gameplan was clear from the start, they were going to pressure the quarterback, dedicating bodies to the box out of their 3-3-5 defense. It wasn’t a perfect game at all as Iamaleava throwing a pick 6 was in result of a bad snap from this offensive line unit. However, not allowing a sack is huge for this team against a top-25 team so you can’t rank it too low.

The offensive line’s best standout was former Miami transfer John Campbell who had plenty of pancakes that you’d think he was going to IHOP! It’s always good to see the Vols doing well against a solid defense up front because it used to be bad for years. The way this line has protected Iamaleava so far has been great. You just have to hope that continues.

The good news for this unit? You rush for 249 yards on 44 attemps, averaging 5.7 yards per carry, you’re offensive line doesn’t deserve too much scrutiny.

Tight Ends: A+

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This group did an amazing job not only blocking and allowing the run game to open up but on receiving as well. Miles Kitselman was the biggest surprise here as he had a touchdown following a wide-open slip screen and a beautiful pass that landed in his hands from Iamaleava. This was one of if not the best play call of the night. Though Heupel designed and called another walk-in TD to new transfer addition from Notre Dame, Holden Staes.

This group is looking promising and this coaching staff as well as Iamaleava have done a great job getting them involved and it has worked early on this season.

Other Tennessee News:

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Titans Rule Out Four Players vs. Bears

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9 hours ago

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September 8, 2024

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Titans Rule Out Four Players vs. Bears


The inactive players for the Tennessee Titans and Chicago Bears have officially been revealed ahead of their season opener on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET at Soldier Field.

Among the inactive players for the Titans is safety Jamal Adams, who has been dealing with a hip injury and was ruled out earlier in the week. Adams was unable to practice throughout the week due to the injury.

For the Bears, receiver Tyler Scott and running back Roschon Johnson were both healthy scratches. Defensive end Montez Sweat and receiver Keenan Allen were both on the injury report but will play for Chicago.

Here is the list of inactive players for both teams.

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Titans:
S Jamal Adams
LB Otis Reese IV
OL John Ojukwu
TE David Martin-Robinson
TE Thomas Odukoya
LB Ali Gaye

Bears:
WR Tyler Scott
LB Noah Sewell
OL Kiran Amegadjie
DL Zacch Pickens
RB Roschon Johnson
OL Bill Murray
DL Dominique Robinson

The matchup between the Titans and Bears is one of the more under-the-radar and intriguing matchups in Week 1. For Tennessee, it is the first game with Bill Callahan as head coach and quarterback Will Levis enters the second season of his NFL career with a chance to cement himself as the franchise quarterback. Levis threw for 1,808 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions in nine starts as a rookie in 2023.

Tennessee also made a pair of big additions in the offseason, signing receiver Calvin Ridley to a four-year deal in free agency and acquiring cornerback L’Jarius Sneed via trade from the Kansas City Chiefs.

Chicago enters this season with much higher expectations than in recent years. Along with a strong finish to last season, the Bears added quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He’ll make his NFL debut alongside Rome Odunze, who the Bears took with the No. 9 overall pick.

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Make sure you bookmark Tennessee Titans on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!



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Social Media Reacts: Tennessee Dominates NC State in Top 25 Clash | Rocky Top Insider

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16 hours ago

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September 8, 2024

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Social Media Reacts: Tennessee Dominates NC State in Top 25 Clash | Rocky Top Insider


Social media reacts to Tennessee’s win over NC State.

Social media was on fire after No. 14 Tennessee’s win over No. 24 NC State on Saturday night in Charlotte.

While the reaction to the Vols’ first game mainly revolved around Nico Iamaleava’s record-setting first-half showing, the buzz on Saturday night was all about Tennessee being a complete, well-balanced unit.

The Vols’ defense held NC State to just 143 total yards, 104 through the air and 39 on the ground. NC State quarterback Grayson McCall was never able to get comfortable throughout the contest while running back Hollywood Smothers was wrapped up in the backfield all night. Tennessee was just too much for NC State to handle on this night and they never let the Wolfpack mark their territory.

More from RTI: RTI Instant Reaction: Breaking Down Tennessee Football’s Blowout Win Over NC State
Tennessee-NC State: Four Quick Takeaways as Tennessee Splatters NC State In Charlotte

Here’s a look at some of the top social media reactions from Tennessee’s 51-10 win over NC State on Saturday night in the Duke’s Classic Kickoff.

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College football Week 2 scores, games: Colorado vs. Nebraska, Tennessee vs. NC State and more

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24 hours ago

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September 7, 2024

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College football Week 2 scores, games: Colorado vs. Nebraska, Tennessee vs. NC State and more


The first top-10 matchup of the season was a lopsided blowout, but we got our first major upset of the season Saturday.

No. 5 Notre Dame was stunned at home by Northern Illinois, 16-14. The Huskies drove down for a 35-yard field goal by Kanon Woodill with just over 30 seconds left in the game and then blocked the Irish’s own attempt to win it as time expired.

In the marquee showdown Saturday, No. 3 Texas left no doubt as to which team is the contender against No. 10 Michigan, blowing out the Wolverines 31-12 at the Big House.

Elsewhere, Kansas State survived against Tulane after a controversial finish and Oklahoma State rallied back to beat Arkansas in double overtime.

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Below are the best games left. Scroll down to follow all the action live.

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET | TV: NBC | Line: Nebraska -6.5 | Total: 55.5

The Huskers showed serious signs of life in Week 1 as true freshman QB Dylan Raiola had a fantastic college debut. Colorado had a hard time putting away North Dakota State, but got standout performances from two-way star Travis Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

The crowd in Lincoln will surely be raucous and the game should be a high-flying affair.

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET | TV: ABC | Line: Tennessee -9.5 | Total: 60.5

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Both teams got wins over FCS opponents in Week 1 but they were drastically different. NC State struggled mightily against Western Carolina. Tennessee blitzed Chattanooga and quickly made it clear the Mocs had no chance.

Given Tennessee’s passing attack, NC State’s chances hinge on its defense playing much better than it did in Week 1.

Time: 10 p.m. ET | TV: Peacock | Line: Oregon -19.5 | Total: 61.5

Both teams had more trouble than expected against their opponents in Week 1. Boise State needed a 21-point run to put Georgia Southern away and Oregon eked out a 24-14 win over Idaho.

Ashton Jeanty went off for 267 yards and six touchdowns in the Broncos’ opener, and he’ll surely be the focus for Oregon’s defense. New Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel was 41-of-49 passing in Week 1 but averaged just 7.6 yards an attempt.

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Live112 updates

  • South Florida pushing Alabama!

    We have a situation brewing in Tuscaloosa. USF just recovered a Alabama fumble and then converted it into a touchdown. Alabama’s lead is cut to 14-13 in the 3rd quarter.

  • Halftime: Tennessee 20, NC State 3

    The Vols have dominated the first half and go into the break up 20-3 after a 45-yard field goal from Max Gilbert ends the half.

  • To make things worse for Colorado, coach Deion Sanders said safety Shilo Sanders is out for the game with a forearm injury.

  • Halftime: Nebraska 28, Colorado 0

    Colorado tries a 61-yard field goal but came up short as the halftime clock runs out. Huskers are dominating in every facet. Can the Buffs get something going in the 2nd half?

  • Another Nebraska touchdown!

    On a play that probably should have been a Colorado interception, Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola connects with Rahmir Johnson for an 18-yard touchdown after the ball was tipped off the hands of a Buffs defender.

  • Pick-six for Tennessee!

    NC State was putting together a great drive before UT’s Will Brooks jumped a pass by Grayson McCall and took it 85 yards to the house! That’s a gamebreaker for the Vols.

  • Tennessee matches with its own FG

    The Vols are moving the ball with ease, but are struggling to finish off drives. They’ve outgained NC State 199 to 12 in total yards and only lead by a touchdown with 6:36 left in the second quarter.

  • Colorado field goal BLOCKED

    Colorado’s most promising drive of the day stalls out inside the 15 and then a short field goal attempt is blocked by DeShon Singleton! Everything is coming up Nebraska today.

  • NC State settles for FG

    The Wolfpack had momentum after the turnover but couldn’t make it to the end zone. It’s now 7-3 with just over nine minutes left in the first half.

  • First signs of life for this Colorado offense, and it’s been a heavy dose of Travis Hunter targets.

    Buffs have the ball in the red zone.

  • Interception NC State!

    NC State gets a break as Nico Iamaleava’s pass is intercepted by Bishop Fitzgerald and returned for 29 yds to the UT 47.

  • Touchdown Nebraska!

    Dante Dowdell plunges in from the 1 to extend Nebraska’s lead to 21-0 over Colorado!

    The TD was set up by a big pass play from Dylan Raiola to Jaylen Lloyd.

  • Illini pick-six!

    Illinois’ Xavier Scott jumps a route and returns it 33 yards for a TD. Game on in Champaign!

  • Shedeur Sanders sacked for a 4th time today. Colorado punts again.

  • Touchdown Tennessee!

    The Vols are on the board first as Dylan Sampson runs it in from eight yards out to cap off a 9-play, 62-yard drive by Tennessee.

  • Nebraska comes up empty after a long drive, missing a 32-yard field goal try to start the 2nd quarter.

    The lead remains 14-0 for Colorado.

  • Illinois WR nabs ball with one hand

    Zakhari Franklin just pulled this off as Illnois drives to try to tie things up.

  • Minutes after Jeremiah Smith’s touchdown, Quinshon Judkins gets in on the fun as the Buckeyes pull away early.

  • No. 19 Kansas has an early lead on Illinois after this Jalon Daniels TD pass.

  • Ohio State star freshman Jeremiah Smith already has 3 TDs. This is his second college game.



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