Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava set a Vols record in his first start in Neyland, but he had one big regret in season-opener
Tennessee Vols redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava was as advertised on Saturday in UT's 69-3 win against the Chattanooga Mocs. The former five-star recruit made his first start in Neyland Stadium a memorable one, passing for 314 yards and three touchdowns in two quarters of action. Iamaleava's 314 passing yards in the first half set […]
Tennessee Vols redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava was as advertised on Saturday in UT's 69-3 win against the Chattanooga Mocs.
The former five-star recruit made his first start in Neyland Stadium a memorable one, passing for 314 yards and three touchdowns in two quarters of action.
Iamaleava's 314 passing yards in the first half set a Tennessee record for the most passing yards in a half (breaking a record previously held by Tyler Bray).
Iamaleava looked confident and in control of the Vols' offense while he was in the game. The California native was accurate, made good decisions, and picked up some tough yards with his legs when the situation called for it.
While there's plenty for Vols fans to be excited about when it comes to the offense, Iamaleava left the game with at least one regret — he didn't like how he finished the first half.
Tennessee took over at their own 16 yard line with less than two minutes remaining in the first half. It was a perfect situation for UT's offense to get some two-minute drill reps.
The Vols, however, weren't able to get the ball past midfield. A chop-block penalty, a couple of incomplete passes, and a sack caused the the drive to stall.
"I thought I didn't finish the second quarter well," said Iamaleava after the game. "I can finish better with just operating the offense at a high level. I think that was the main thing for me — not falling asleep while we were up big. Still going out there and operating the offense at a high level."
That final drive of the first half wasn't all on Iamaleava — the penalty put the Vols in a 1st-and-25 situation that was less than ideal. But it says a lot about who Iamaleava is as a player that when he was asked what he could've done better, he didn't hesitate — he went straight to that final drive of the first half.
Despite the record-breaking performance, Iamaleava's attention is on where he can improve. And that's a huge part of what makes him a complete quarterback with elite upside.
