Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava made his first regular-season start on Saturday afternoon, dazzling the sold-out 101,915 fans with a record-breaking performance.
Iamaleava’s 314 passing yards through the first two quarters is the most passing yards in one half in Tennessee history passing Tyler Bray’s 313 passing yards against Troy in 2012.
The Vols’ second-year quarterback had the college football world buzzing throughout the offseason, but it was on fire during his performance on Saturday. Iamaleava looked crisp, accurate, comfortable, and did the things that Tennessee’s offense needs to operate.
While Tennessee’s opponent of FCS Chattanooga does come into play, there’s no denying that Iamaleava showed the necessary tools to pick apart opposing defenses in Josh Heupel’s system.
Iamaleava led Tennessee to a 45-0 halftime lead before the Vols turned to backup quarterback Gaston Moore in the third quarter. Iamaleava had done his job and did it well. The Vols won their season-opening game 69-3 on Saturday afternoon in Knoxville.
More from RTI: Nico Iamaleava Sets Tennessee Program Record During Season Opener
Here’s a look at what the social media world had to say after Nico Iamaleava’s 314-yard, three touchdown performance in the first half against Chattanooga on Saturday:
Nico Iamaleava is going to be so good
— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 31, 2024
Is Nico Iamaleava the best QB in the country?
— Bussin’ With The Boys (@BussinWTB) August 31, 2024
Nico Iamaleava > Shadeur Sanders
— Tommy R. Callahan III (@yalltitanup) August 31, 2024
Nico Iamaleava is debatably the best QB in college football and a name to watch out for when discussing the Heisman.
Tennessee has a superstar pic.twitter.com/SMRn04fWlQ
— Football Fanatics (@FFB_Fanatics) August 31, 2024
The noon window is closing. Clemson is the new Iowa. Iowa is the new Penn State. Penn State is the new Ohio State. Vanderbilt is a college football powerhouse. Nico Iamaleava is better than Peyton Manning. And we’re just getting started.
— Jessica Smetana (@jessica_smetana) August 31, 2024
1. Drew Allar looked great
2. Dylan Railoa with a monster day
3. The U may be back?
4. Nico Iamaleava is a studthis season is going to be a lot of fun https://t.co/JWZT92TnLe
— Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) August 31, 2024
Heisman Finalists:
Nico Iamaleava
Jalen Milroe
Quinn Ewers
Arch ManningI have seen enough.
— University of Tampering (@Doc_Texas) August 31, 2024
Final thoughts leaving Neyland Stadium.
Nico isn’t as good as advertised, he’s better. His arm + his mobility = problems
Vols rushing attack behind this O Line is going to give teams fits
Defensive front is stacked, if they can stay healthy….they could be @CFBPlayoff team
— Peter Burns (@PeterBurnsESPN) August 31, 2024
This season is gonna be insane man 😭
Nico Iamaleava Him
Cam Ward Him
Jeremiah Smith Him
Malaki Starks Him— Kieran (@carebearkieran) August 31, 2024
In his first regular-season start, Nico Iamaleava set a school-record with 314 passing yards in the first half.
Going 22 of 28 with three touchdowns. That’ll do. https://t.co/T91TN4w3iS
— Jesse Simonton (@JesseReSimonton) August 31, 2024
Nick Saban:
“I think Nico Iamaleava is going to be one of the best quarterbacks in (the SEC)” pic.twitter.com/HySBtsUy7s
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) August 31, 2024
