"I'm about as happy as any Vol fan could be right now," said Andrew Lauber after the first game of the season Friday night.
From Bearden Field House in West Knoxville to Tin Roof on the Strip, fans could be heard cheering all around town after the Vols beat NC State 35-21 Friday night at the Georgia Dome.
"I was happily surprised by how sharp they looked for the first game of the season," Lauber said.
Many fans who didn't make it to Atlanta, crowded together at Knoxville sports bars. There was standing room only at several hangouts.
Each time the team scored, the fans broke out into "Rocky Top."
With 11 games left to go in the season, the win gives fans hope for more victories.
"It's been a couple of years since we've had this kind of energy. We have a lot of potential," Lauber said.
UT plays at home next Saturday September, 8th against Georgia State. Kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m.