Tennessee's Cordarrelle Patterson (84) pulls in a 41-yard touchdown reception in front of N.C. State's David Amerson (1) during the first half. ETHAN HYMAN - ehyman@newsobserver.com
ATLANTA — The first "S-E-C!" chant started in the Georgia Dome with 4 minutes left in the third quarter.
And why not?
Tennessee, the last-place team in the East Division a year ago, showed why college football is the Southeastern Conference's domain and everyone else is just paying rent with a 35-21 win against an over-matched N.C. State team in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff on Friday night.
The Volunteers, just 1-7 in the SEC last year, were bigger, stronger, faster than the Wolfpack, which posted an 8-5 record last season and is one of only two ACC teams with consecutive bowl wins, in every phase.
The national showcase, the first of two ACC-SEC matchups in Atlanta, was supposed to be an opportunity for the Wolfpack and the ACC to measure itself against the best and make statement.
And the statement N.C. State made?
"We had our opportunity and we didn't make the most of it," Wolfpack coach Tom O'Brien said. "We have to find a way to get ourselves back together, get our minds right and win a football game."
The only statement was made by Tennessee, winners of the first BCS title in 1998, and its proud fan base, which has had to suffer through consecutive losing seasons and watch four other SEC teams combine for the past six national championships. The Vols' roar drowned out the Wolfpack whimper.
The Vols used a 16-point flurry, in 38 seconds, at the end of the first quarter to assert their authority. And they did it by exploiting All-American cornerback David Amerson on defense and forcing four interceptions of quarterback Mike Glennon.
Receiver Cordarrelle Patterson caught a 41-yard touchdown for the Vols and ran for a 67-yarder to give the Vols a 22-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Tennessee kicked leading receiver Da'Rick Rogers off the team last week but it didn't need him, not with the debut of Patterson, a junior-college transfer. Patterson burned Amerson on a 41-yard stop-and-go route at 11:31 in the first quarter.
State responded with its first touchdown drive, capped by a 2-yard run by Tony Creecy, to take a 7-6 lead at 5:15 in the first. The Wolfpack was barely in the game over the final 45 minutes.
The bottom fell out at the end of the first quarter when Glennon, who finished with 288 passing yards, threw an interception on a fourth-and-3 from inside Tennessee territory.
On the next play, receiver Zach Rogers blazed past Amerson for a 72-yard touchdown.
After Rogers' touchdown, Glennon rolled out, from his own 19-yard line, and then fumbled the ball into the end zone, which went for a safety.
The Vols then answered with an end-around to Patterson, who sprinted past Amerson for the 67-yard touchdown. Amerson set an ACC record with 13 interceptions last season but he had a tough start to the 2012 season.
"It was completely my fault," Amerson said. "I take all the blame (on both touchdowns). They got the best of me today."
The Pack's secondary, which led the country with 27 interceptions last season, got sliced up by Bray for 333 yards. In the third quarter, UT compounded State's problems on defense by running the ball squarely down the field.
Running back Rajion Neal completed a soul-crushing 14-play, 87-yard scoring drive with an 8-yard touchdown run to give the Vols a 29-14 advantage. Neal finished with 53 yards and a touchdown and Marlin Lane added 75 rushing yards.
"It was just a bad loss," N.C. State senior safety Earl Wolff said. "They ran the ball on us, they threw it on us. We know we're better than that."
Kicker Michael Palardy tacked on a 20-yard field goal with 1:28 left in the third quarter to stretch the lead to 32-14 and a 34-yarder with 1:44 left to close out the scoring.
Glennon got State back on the board with a 5-yard touchdown pass to receiver Bryan Underwood with 13:46 left in the fourth quarter.
Down 32-21, the Pack's defense, which made a goal line stand at the end of the first half for its only turnover for the game, forced a punt and got the ball back to Glennon with 10 minutes left.
Glennon threw his third interception of the game to put out any hope of a late Wolfpack comeback.
On the bright side for N.C. State, it was looking for new options at receiver and junior Quintin Payton caught four passes for 129 yards. Payton set up James Washington's 2-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, which cut Tennessee's halftime lead to 22-14.
And running back Mustafa Greene, who missed all of the 2011 season with a foot injury, returned to add life to the running game with 53 yards on 11 carries.
But it wasn't nearly enough to kick off what the Pack had anticipated would be a big season. N.C. State's defense melted under Tennessee's strength in the third quarter and Tennessee's defense closed the door on Glennon in the fourth quarter.
With 5 minutes left in the game, the "SEC!" chant turned into a "It's great to be a Tennessee Vol!" chant.
After that show of force, N.C. State had no argument otherwise.
Comments
Disappointed with the
Tue, 09/04/2012 - 19:27 — coastalconnectionDisappointed with the outcome of the game, but had a hot time in Atlanta!
Amerson
Sat, 09/01/2012 - 13:57 — gvillegatrWhy is no one specifically talking about this guy. Clearly he read his press clippings all off-season. The guy was beat bad TWICE for TD's and got blown by on a running play for a TD where he had a decent angle.
You guys better hope he gets his a$$ reamed (msp?) through the week.
I did
Sat, 09/01/2012 - 22:34 — JPDOhioYesterday, in game. To his credit, he took ownership of his problems after the game. And I do think the lack of any pressure on Bray really hurt the secondary.
That said, the biggest problem with the Pack was Mike Glennon. His pick in the first half as the Pack was moving down the field stopped the momentum the offense had going. His fumble for a safety was inexcusable for a Legit pro prospect QB with a full year under his belt. The defense played well enough from late in the second quarter to the end of the game to keep the Pack in the game. The offense, especially Mike, let them down.
These are correctable issues. The value of an early non-conference game against a good texoskeleton that it exposes those issues without costing a team a conference loss. I disagree with YAR who said (I think) that they should burn the tape. No, they need to study it, correct the mistakes and redeem themselves at UConn. The Pack is better than they showed and hopefully this is the wake up call they need to move forward.
Unlike the Pack, my YSU Penguins went into Heinz Field tonight and put it to the ACC-bound Pitt Panthers. YSU may have the best offense in 1-AA (led by OC Shane Montgomery) and their defense is much improved with a new DC. Anything less than the playoffs will be a major disappointment.
YSU
Sun, 09/02/2012 - 01:26 — mad_maxWow, just saw that score, 31-17 Penguins. Congrats JPD!!
yep
Sun, 09/02/2012 - 11:19 — JPDOhioBad sports Friday followed by a very good sports Saturday. At least I know I've got one contender, though I am not ruling out the Pack after one game. I have to agree with TOB: bad performance, not a bad team. The response at UConn will matter most.
UConn
Sun, 09/02/2012 - 11:54 — mad_maxI'm fully expecting a win next weekend. We are the better team, and I think we will be the hungrier team as well. We are coming off a tough loss against a very solid team, while they just kicked the snot out of UMass in their FBS debut.
Hungrier team
Sun, 09/02/2012 - 14:58 — gvillegatrYou haven't given much thought to who is hungrier for this game - state or UCant.
UConn gets an opportunity to get one for the Big Least which is behind the ACC. UConn WANTS MORE THAN ANYTHING to be in the ACC where the pasture is more green and certainly more stable.
They're trying to prove to everybody that they've turned a corner too.
Do not overlook the Huskies, state college,
State college
Sun, 09/02/2012 - 19:43 — mad_maxDoes Penn State play UConn this year?
UConn
Sun, 09/02/2012 - 15:22 — JPDOhioState can't afford to look past anyone, especially a UConn team that has been decent lately. I wouldn't discount their win over UMass either, a team that has gone deep into the FCS playoffs in recent years and may have been a national champ.
i do believe State came into Atlanta somewhat cocky, so they weren't prepared for a team that came to play. They simply can't allow that to happen again.
UMass
Tue, 09/04/2012 - 15:42 — mad_maxI was able to watch a replay of the UConn vs UMass game on ESPN3 last night. And I was definitely not impressed. UConn's offense looked very weak. No passing threat, and an average rushing attack...keep in mind this was against UMass. UConn's defense looked alright, but a lot of that was due to UMass inept offense. According to the ESPN3 broadcast, UMass was the most penalized team in the FCS last year. Their 2nd possesion against UConn stalled because of 4 penalties, all of which were false starts or illegal procedures.
We are definitely a better team than UConn. And after eating some humble pie, I'm almost certain our guys are taking this game Saturday.
Maybe so
Wed, 09/05/2012 - 12:04 — SurferGood observations, but we all know that the better team doesn't always win.
True
Wed, 09/05/2012 - 12:12 — gvillegatrJust look back at four out of the last five meetings b/tn the wuffies and the Heels.
Maybe it was time for Butch to go.
BUTCH
Thu, 09/06/2012 - 10:42 — mad_maxWow, never thought I'd see the day...
Call 'em like I see them one day at a time
Thu, 09/06/2012 - 12:46 — gvillegatrRecruting hasn't dipped one bit and, in fact, maybe has improved and lets face it - this is college football and no one is gonna confuse UNC with the Bams so this offense Fedora has installed will give the Heels a leg up and better quality guys all around.
And if these boys are gonna play outside the lines again, they better not leave a paper trail. :)
paper trail
Thu, 09/06/2012 - 22:03 — mad_maxAt this point, I don't think it matters what kind of evidence there is, so your guys should be in the clear. ;)
You can down play UCant all you want
Wed, 09/05/2012 - 09:05 — gvillegatrBut the wuffies better not lose to them. :)
They won't
Wed, 09/05/2012 - 10:37 — JPDOhioBut if they do, the wailing will be louder than any time since the Pack last lost to UNC about a hundred years ago! :-D
100 years ago?
Wed, 09/05/2012 - 12:07 — Surfer(Actually surprised at the lack of wailing after the TN game.) Just curious, in which sport are you referring to? ;-)
When you get old...
Wed, 09/05/2012 - 12:40 — JPDOhioThe years go by faster. So maybe it was 6 or 7, not a hundred. I get confused.
FB
Wed, 09/05/2012 - 16:23 — SurferOh, if it's FB you are referring to, then yes, it was about 100 years ago when UNC won that first match-up: 44 - 0, if I recall correctly, ;-)
Lol
Sat, 09/01/2012 - 02:32 — mad_maxNow the annual "jumping off the ledge" moment from our fan base. It's getting old. Now for the next week I have to hear morons talking doom and gloom like State just lost to Montana by 40.
Anyways, tonight wasn't too terribly bad for me. We were underdogs in this game, and we lost. I know a bunch of peope (State fans and haters) will go on and on about how bad State looked, but honestly, we had some major breakdowns on defense on a few plays, and we still managed to stay in the game. State was within 2 scores most of the game, so I wouldn't say they got "rolled". Respectable score IMO.
State will get better, and I expect them to be very good by the time the first conference game is here. The D will get better from this experience, and Glennon will be fine...had an off night coupled with a very successful pass rush. Few opponents on our schedule will have the kind of athletes we saw in the trenches tonight. This loss doesn't do much damage to our season; not like we were playing for a national title. In fact, this loss could end up being a great learning tool to help us improve for the rest of the season.
Still have high hopes for this year. GO PACK!!
Wolfpack Jeopardy
Sat, 09/01/2012 - 10:38 — JPDOhioAnswer: When madmax is the voice of reason.
Question: When do you know you are in trouble?
Actually, I agree with most of what max said. It's one game. There were negatives and positives.
Negatives:
1. Glennon made too many mental mistakes and seemed to lock on one receiver too much. I expected better from him and he needs to be better. Mike, watch the tape and remember to play within yourself.
2. There was no pressure applied to Tennessee's QB. He had all day, especially in the first half. I know State's LB's are inexperienced, but if they have to be used to attack the QB, take the chance.
3. Some really dumb penalties by players who should know better. Don't know why, but the Pack had too many mental lapses. The result--big plays by UT, turnovers, dropped passes.
Positives:
1. The defense stepped up in the second half and got some stops that were really needed. Too bad the offense couldn't do anything with it.
2. Payton stepped up and the TE's had a decent game, except for some drops that need corrected.
3. Mustafa Greene looked good in limited time (expect for a dropped pass-bad pattern developing here).
A solid win is necessary in Storrs next weekend. It can (and should) happen, but the Pack has got to get there minds straight. The loss to Tennessee Friday night was mostly mental. It can be fixed and quickly.
Agreed
Sat, 09/01/2012 - 09:35 — YAR8packHowever, NCSU will not be able to rebound if they watch the game film of this embarrasment. Burn the tape. Be done with it.
For once, I actually agree with gatr (unc-ch(eat)! There. I feel better), I would feel better about this buttwhooping were it against LSU or Bama, but Tenn is neither one of those two programs. NC State got their pants pulled down by one of the lower teams of the SEC. Dominated on both sides of the ball. Ugh.
The secondary looked terrible. Beyond terrible, actually. A lot of that came from Bray having enough time to write and defend a thesis while getting ready to pass. No pressure. No push up front. Nothing. Beat at the line on BOTH sides of the ball.
Random factoid: a TOB lead NCSU team has never beaten a D-1 opponent to open the season.
Fair points
Sat, 09/01/2012 - 12:44 — mad_maxBut honestly, I don't think we know where Tennessee stands at this point. Let's see how the season goes before we act like they are the worst team in the SEC. IMO, this game was better than our last two outings against the SEC; 34-0 at SC, then we managed a whopping 3 points against 'em in Raleigh. The sky ain't falling just because we lost by 14 to Tennessee, that's all I'm saying.
What's getting old is
Sat, 09/01/2012 - 07:42 — gvillegatrToby's annual slow starts. You can't have a magical or really good season when you are constantly getting off to slow starts.
And you are not too disappointed in the pack bc they were within two scores all night. If they were playing SC or Bama - OK. This was Tennessee - an avg team in a conference that is avg after you cut out the top four teams. People always forget that.
There are and have been cracks in the dam. I wonder what they are saying over in the B League aka as the sports section posting area ...
Again
Sat, 09/01/2012 - 12:49 — mad_maxWe lost by 14 to Tennessee. Sure, they aren't Bama, but they are a good team. This can and will be a very good season. This loss doesn't really affect our goals for the year.
My two cents
Sat, 09/01/2012 - 00:14 — gvillegatrGlennon and Amerson looked like freshman. Gawd awful. The LB's (like I've state before) were newbies and they looked liked it. And there was no pass rush. No secret this school (not team; been playing six years now) gets off to very, very slow starts. #rallycryinNovember
Hope Amerson has not packed
Tue, 09/04/2012 - 19:25 — coastalconnectionHope Amerson has not packed his bag to head off to the NFL just yet! A few more games like the UT game and he will be coaching a pee-wee football team in Fuquay.
Amerson
Fri, 08/31/2012 - 23:45 — gvillegatrGot beat like a drum tonight ... The pass and the run. Wow!!
Groan Final
Fri, 08/31/2012 - 23:09 — gevalia4 interceptions one fumble.
Who was that backup QB?
My first groan was on target----it was over early.
6 and 5 this year? (maybe that good).
groan 3
Fri, 08/31/2012 - 22:50 — gevaliaIntentional grounding and then 2 five yard passes and an incompletion.
Who is the backup QB?
?
Fri, 08/31/2012 - 22:40 — gevaliathird interception!!!
no way!!
52.5
Fri, 08/31/2012 - 22:36 — gvillegatrI hit the over!!!!! Whatever happens, happens!
I'm tired of these BUTT
Fri, 08/31/2012 - 22:30 — workerI'm tired of these BUTT whoopings every year!!!! When will a Wolfpack team come out and look like they really want to win? Same old song and dance every year.
kiss it goodby
Fri, 08/31/2012 - 22:18 — gevaliaAnd we wanted to keep Glennon for this year.....why?
2 interseptions 1 fumble - we had no chance with that type of QBacking.
Where is Wilson qBacking now? does he have any eligibility left?
Groan!
You mean the same Wilson
Sat, 09/01/2012 - 02:40 — mad_maxYou mean the same Wilson that threw 3 picks against ECU in 2010, including the game-loser in OT?
I swear, every year you people seem to forget that there are 12+ games in a season. Damn us all if State doesn't go undefeated every year! It's gonna be okay. This will be a very good season.
Agree
Sun, 09/02/2012 - 09:31 — SurferWill be a good season. 11-1? Possible, as TOB states, but
Their play will have to improve somewhat, I expect.
Question
Sat, 09/01/2012 - 07:36 — gvillegatrHow is this going to be a "very good season" when you have at least four or five opponents left on your schedule who are better than Tennessee is?
...
Sat, 09/01/2012 - 22:26 — mad_maxYou saw my predictions the other day. I said State would go 9-3, and they would lose to either UT or UConn. I still have full faith in my prediction.
Answer
Sat, 09/01/2012 - 12:39 — mad_max1) We will get better, like always.
2) I don't think there are 4-5 teams on our schedule better than Tennessee. FSU and Clemson probably, but after that, not much else.
Delusional, max
Sat, 09/01/2012 - 13:48 — gvillegatr@UConn
@Miami
FSU
@UNC
UVA
@Clemson
I say UConn and Miami bc they are both on the road. Doesn't necessarily mean you will lose, but it will be no picnic either. It's cool if you want to discredit these two, but you CANNOT discredit the other four.
bahahahaha
Sat, 09/01/2012 - 22:23 — mad_maxI'm delusional?! Yet you come on here and try to say with a straight face that UConn, Miami, UVA, and UN*-CHeat are all better than Tennessee? GTFO with that nonsense. This is the exact kinda thing I'm talking about with you. You come on here and say the most ridiculous stuff now, but then you will be whining in a few months when I repost your comment to show how wrong you were.
Really though, you think your Heels are without a doubt better than Tennessee? The Tar Heels? Bahahahaha! Now that is delusional, everybody.
Wow
Sun, 09/02/2012 - 10:52 — gvillegatrJust wow. Did you not read my post? I said you could discredit UCant and Miami and, yes, those other teams are better than Tennessee and nc state. You'll find out soon enough ...
As an aside, if your "all-American" DB doesn't get burned as bad as he did on threelays, Tennessee doesn't look like "the better team."
Dre Bly > David Amerson
Relax
Fri, 08/31/2012 - 21:54 — JPDOhioStill have a game here. However:
1. Glennon needs to wake up and use his head. He is not and never will be RW.
2. Amerson needs to stop reading about how great he is and just play.
3. Good to see that the Pack didn't panic, even though some of its fans apparently did.
4. Caught a break on that goal line stand and the fumble. State's D has done a decent job, except for the lapses that resulted in the big plays.
5. Couple of dumb penalties early in the second half. Got to stop that.
22-14?
Fri, 08/31/2012 - 21:50 — NC74From a Carolina graduate: It's STILL a game! Go ACC! Go PACK!
On field SEC refs love chicken!
Fri, 08/31/2012 - 21:22 — chicagoNo, it's 22-14.
another typical wolfpack season
Fri, 08/31/2012 - 20:53 — raymacno worries they will finish the typical 8-4
groan 2
Fri, 08/31/2012 - 20:32 — gevaliaNo defense.....no linebackers. welcome to a 0 -1 start!
groan
Fri, 08/31/2012 - 20:29 — gevaliaWelcome to the start of 2011 season.
Sorry!