WVU Athletics announced Wednesday the neutral-site game between WVU Football and Tennessee in 2028 will now be a week earlier than originally scheduled. Read more: 2028 Duke’s Mayo Classic between WVU and Tennessee moved to a new date
WVU and Tennessee will take over Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, for the 2028 Duke’s Mayo Classic on August 26, 2028. It was originally on schedule for September 2, 2028.
The reason for the change was not disclosed.
A 2018 rematch in Charlotte
The 2028 Duke’s Mayo Classic will not be the first time WVU and Tennessee meet in Charlotte.
The two teams competed in the Belk College Kickoff at Bank of America Stadium on September 1, 2018. The Mountaineers defeated the Volunteers 40-14 in their season opener.
Former WVU quarterback Will Grier, who is a native of Charlotte, put up 429 passing yards and five touchdowns in the game. This was the same season that Grier was a Heisman finalist.
David Sills V caught two of those touchdown passes and had 140 receiving yards.
On the other side, Tennessee was led by quarterback Jarrett Guarantano, who only threw for 172 yards and one touchdown.
Guarantano had a short NFL career and spent some time in the UFL.
Guarantano’s three leading receivers ended up having NFL careers after Tennessee: Marquez Callaway, Josh Palmer, and Jauan Jennings.
The matchup between WVU and Tennessee in 2018 is the only time the two programs have met in program history.
About the Duke’s Mayo Classic
The Duke’s Mayo Classic began in 2015. There have been 12 games.
From 2015-2019, it was the Belk College Kickoff. Duke’s Mayo received the naming rights in 2020, and it was renamed the Duke’s Mayo Classic.
The games have always been at Bank of America Stadium, home of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The 2028 Duke’s Mayo Classic will be both WVU’s and Tennessee’s third time competing in the game.
WVU recently competed in the Duke’s Mayo Classic for the second time against Virginia on September 19. The Mountaineers defeated the Cavaliers 38-27.
Related: WVU Football wins Duke’s Mayo Classic over Virginia in Charlotte, 38-27
Tennessee competed for the second time on September 7, 2024. It defeated NC State 51-10
After the game in 2028, WVU will return to the Duke’s Mayo Classic to face Virginia again in 2032. Tennessee does not currently have any games in Charlotte scheduled after 2028.
Duke’s Mayo is also the sponsor of the bowl game in Charlotte annually, the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. It has also held the naming rights since 2020, and it was known as the Belk Bowl from 2011-2019. Before Belk, Continental Tire (2002-04) and Meineke Car Care Center (2005-2010) had the rights.
WVU competed in the first Continental Tire Bowl in 2002 against Virginia, losing 48-22. It also competed in the Meineke Car Care Bowl in 2008 against North Carolina, winning 31-30, and the Duke’s Mayo Bowl in 2023 against North Carolina, winning 30-10.
Tennessee has never competed in a bowl game held in Charlotte.
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