Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava was spectacular during his first regular-season start for the Vols on Saturday.
While the game was against FCS opponent Chattanooga, Iamaleava decimated the defense that was in front of him to the tune of 314 passing yards and three passing touchdowns in just two quarters of play. Iamaleava was poised and accurate as he found his receivers across the field.
At times, Iamaleava went through his reads and found one of his receivers streaking down the field. Other times, though, Iamaleava’s progressions led him to dumping the ball off to a shallow running back or tight end, salvaging some yards out of a play that wasn’t working in their favor. Iamaleava’s first completion of the game was a rollout to the right where the tight end didn’t find the right space, forcing the quarterback to make an off-balanced throw to the sideline to wide receiver Chris Brazzell.
All three concepts – striking a receiver in route, extending the play with a check down, and throws outside of the pocket – showed what you’d want to see out of a star quarterback despite the competition he was going against. The cherry on top of the day was setting Tennessee’s all-time passing yards in a single-half record, inching out Tyler Bray’s previous record from 2012 by one yard.
Perhaps the most impressive part of Iamaleava’s outing, though, and the aspect that could really put the Tennessee offense on pace for monster numbers, was his accuracy in the middle of the field.
According to Jordan Moore on X, Iamaleava went 10-for-10 passing when he threw between the numbers (the middle of the field) against Chattanooga on Saturday. Iamaleava went 6-for-6 for 41 yards and one touchdown from 0-10 yards, 3-of-3 for 69 yards and two touchdowns from 11-20 yards, and 1-for-1 for 37 yards 21+ yards out.
Middle of the field is back on the menu for a Josh Heupel offense. pic.twitter.com/YUliEQGwbL
— Jordan Moore (@jordanmoore_21) September 1, 2024
Iamaleava showed no hesitation in attacking the middle of the field on Saturday, which is a huge advantage for the Vols.
One play in particular comes to mind when showing off Iamaleava’s skill across the middle.
At the start of the second quarter with Tennessee up 21-0, Iamaleava found Bru McCoy running a post route from the left wideout spot with the safety rolling down to help the run defense. Iamaleava dropped back and fired a missile across the middle of the field, hitting McCoy in stride while splitting the two Chattanooga defenders attacking from the angles.
Throwing the ball from the Chattanooga 45-yard line, Iamaleava’s pass hit McCoy’s hands on the Mocs’ 10-yard line for a 35-yard rope through the air. McCoy’s reception didn’t reach the endzone but did set up Dylan Sampson’s score just one play later.
“A few telltale signs of a really good QB are they can attack the seams vs post safety and the middle of the field & down the boundary vs (Cover 2),” former Tennessee and NFL wide receiver Donte Stallworth posted to X during the game. “I’m giddy over here.”
More from RTI: The Long Wait For Nico Iamaleava Is Over… The Vols’ Quarterback Is Here
Another noteworthy play from Iamaleava’s performance on Saturday was a deep pass over the linebackers to Brazzell on a play that looked like it should have never been a completion. With Iamaleava, though, these throws are back in play.
As Tennessee was driving down the field in search of their third touchdown drive, Iamaleava rocketed a 20-yard pass over the middle of the field to Brazzell, who was cutting across from right to left for the quarterback. Chattanooga’s two linebackers held firm, not biting on the play-action fake to start the play, and dropped back into pass coverage. Chattanooga’s safety did creep up a bit but was stepping into the passing lane from Iamaleava to Brazzell. While the play didn’t look open, Iamaleava fired the ball over the middle linebacker and into the hands of Brazzell, who was lit up by the other safety but held onto the ball.
“This is unbelievable,” former Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray said while breaking down the play for the Snaps YouTube channel. “I’m telling you, this is a sweet throw. Up and over those linebackers … Unbelievable. It’s not there! It’s not there at all.”
Where it was abundant in 2022, Tennessee’s ineffectiveness to get the ball across the middle of the field in 2023 led to limiting situations and allowed opponents to shade towards the more shallow areas of the field. Look at any great quarterback in any great offense and you’ll see why spacing matters so much when the between-the-numbers area is open and available.
With Squirrel White, Chas Nimrod, Chris Brazzell, and more standout receivers who can operate over the middle of the field, combined with a quarterback who can get them the ball in tight windows, Tennessee’s offense should be able to flourish this season in that area.
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I have seen a lot of hyped QB’s make great debuts.
I haven’t seen one better than Nico Iamaleava for @Vol_Football.
I just finished the tape and goodness gracious was it good!!
I know it’s Chattanooga but the kid is going to be a flat out superstar.pic.twitter.com/HJV4F3Ls6H
— David Pollack (@davidpollack47) September 1, 2024
