August 31, 2024, brought the official beginning of the 2024 football season for the Volunteers and their opponent, the Chattanooga Mocs. While both teams are comprised of University of Tennessee students, they play at diverse levels of competition. Those distinct levels of play were on display during the Vols 69-3 win.
The Chattanooga Mocs were completely overwhelmed on the football field but earned-well the hefty financial compensation the Big Orange Athletics Department sent to UTC. That game payment is an important component of financial support for the UTC Athletics Department’s annual budget, so it is good to see that money remains in state and even within the UT System. Nothing wrong with helping your family when you can, even if the family member must endure some discomfort in the process! As far as I know, the Mocs left the field with some bruises and frustrations, but no serious injuries that will significantly impede their campaign for a Southern Conference championship and berth in the Football Championship Series playoffs.
Now, as for the game, what a beautiful day for football in Knoxville! The sellout crowd was charged up and ready for football. When the band parted the famous T, the announcers declared IT’S FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE and the Volunteers hit the field in their Smokey Gray uniforms, a near-perfect stage was set for an exciting afternoon of football.
The Vols first offensive play from scrimmage reminded me that Coach Heupel and his staff aren’t wedded to EVERY UT tradition – a pass that gained 11 yards and a first down rather than an off-tackle run suggested an aggressive pursuit for scoring. The next four running plays reassured me I was still watching Volunteer football! It was pleasing to see the offensive line making room for Dylan Sampson to run and for Sampson to decisively hit the holes and finish his runs falling forward. Scoring the touchdown to complete an 11-play, 65-yard opening drive was exactly what the Vols needed to set the tone for the day.
The first half was a wave of scoring for the Vols and a mountain of Big Orange frustration for the Mocs. At the end of the first quarter, Vols quarterback Nico Iamaleava had completed 8 of 8 passing attempts for 97 yards and two touchdowns. The first quarter score was 24-0 Vols. The second quarter was no better for the Mocs. By the end of the first half, Iamaleava was 22-28 for 314 yards and three touchdowns. At halftime, the Vols led 45-0 and had amassed 493 yards of total offense. The only significant blemish on the first half of football for UT was a very chaotic, ineffective two-minute drill at the end of the first half. The Vols offense couldn’t consistently execute to get into field goal position, much less put another touchdown on the board. Still, 493 yards against a scrappy (forgive the pun UTC) Mocs squad in one half of football is good work.
The second half allowed UT to play backup players, get reps for depth players on offense and defense, and continue to execute assignments on both sides of the ball and on special teams. The Vols added 24 points in the second half and UTC managed to avoid the goose egg by kicking a 43-yard field goal in the third quarter. For the game, UTC gained 227 yards while Vols amassed 718 yards. The Vol defense held the Mocs to 1-14 on third downs during the game. That’s a difficult accomplishment regardless of the opponent and UTC has a competitive squad for their level of competition. Chattanooga won the time of possession 30:46 to the Vols 29:10. Tennessee’s offense ran 90 plays during the game, rushing for 304 yards and passing for 414 yards. The pace of play and scoring efficiency was impressive.
Tennessee’s new placekicker, Max Gilbert, looked good for his first game. The snapper and holder also did a fine job. The Vols defensive linemen and offensive linemen played well, with the defense looking stout on the line of scrimmage and the o-line getting push. Tennessee’s wide receivers look dangerous to their opponents and Iamaleava is a talented athlete who can challenge a defense with his arm and his legs. As Nico gains more experience in reading defenses and managing the Vol offense, this squad can be a potent offense. Here’s to hoping the injury bug misses the Volunteer backfield this season!
With a solid beginning to the 2024 season, the Vols now travel to Charlotte, North Carolina to take on the North Carolina State Wolfpack, a 38-21 game one winner over Western Carolina. The Wolfpack are ranked number 23 in this week’s Coaches Poll while the Vols check in ranked 12. Against Western Carolina, State started slowly in the game but posted three fourth-quarter touchdowns to put the game away. If the Vols start the game against N.C. State as they did against the Mocs, Vol fans will get a chance to see if their first team offense can sustain its efficiency past halftime. With State scoring 38 points in their first game, this could be a game for offenses to shine and defenses to be challenged. In most years most teams make great improvements between games one and two. If that holds true this year, I expect a Vols win against the Wolfpack, but fewer than 718 yards of offense. My predicted score: UT 38 – NCSU 20. Go Vols!