NC State Newsstand: Tennessee coach Josh Heupel’s take on the Pack
As NC State prepares to battle Tennessee in the Duke’s Mayo Classic this weekend, Volunteers coach Josh Heupel talked about what challenge the Wolfpack presents for his team.
“Really good opponent that we’re playing,” Heupel told reporters in Knoxville on Monday. “They play all three phases of the game really well together. Defensively, they’ve been really good and it will be a great test for us up front. Offensively, they’ve got a really experienced quarterback with playmakers around him. Their special teams are really good, too. Huge test for us this week, one that we’re really excited about.”
Heupel did not downplay the Pack in his media availability, saying that NC State would be a good test for his team after nearly half the questions he answered during his 10-minute press conference.
But as he talked about NC State, sophomore wide receiver Kevin “KC” Concepcion stood out to Heupel. Concepcion, who had a three-touchdown game in the season opener, is not going to surprise the Volunteers.
“First of all, he has elite speed, really good hands, and he makes plays on special teams,” Heupel said of the reigning ACC Rookie of the Year. “On the offensive side of the ball, they do a good job of moving around and finding space for him to work and operate. He’s strong and explosive. We have to know where he is throughout the course of the football game.”
NC State and Tennessee have met four times in program history, with each team winning two games apiece. The Pack beat the Vols in 1893 and 1911, while Tennessee took the 1939 and 2012 meetings.
The Duke’s Mayo Classic is set for Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. inside Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The game will be broadcast on ABC with Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstriet and Holly Rowe on the call.
Tweets of the day
Here’s what On3’s Andy Staples and Ari Wasserman think of this weekend’s matchup with NC State and Tennessee.
Wolfpack wrestling is back in action to prepare for the 2024-25 season.
The Pack has a small schedule of teams in action this week.
Quote of the day
NC State coach Dave Doeren did not shy away from thinking that the offensive and defensive lines will be the difference between a win and a loss against Tennessee.
“They have probably the best defensive front we will play when you look at the depth and talent that they have on their defensive line, not that we won’t see other talented d-lines, we will, but with their depth, it’s a strength of theirs in my opinion,” Doeren said Monday. “As you look at all the pieces that are on the field and the skill and the names and things like that, the front is where it’s going to be at. It’s going to be a trench game to win it.”
Today’s top headlines
NC State news and views: Inside Dave Doeren’s comments on Tennessee and more
The Wolfpacker’s final take: Lingering thoughts and questions on NC State vs. Western Carolina
NC State looking to see growth ahead of Tennessee matchup
NC State S Devan Boykin “out for the month,” could return in October
