A number of the same issues that plagued Tennessee football’s offense during its lackluster first four performances in SEC play persisted in its 28-18 win over Kentucky.
But after shaky performances to open up conference play, redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava built off his strong second half against Alabama by playing the best game of his young career against Kentucky.
“He had a great night, man,” Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said postgame. “Has played a lot of really good football.”
Iamaleava completed 28-of-38 pass attempts for 292 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions against Kentucky but the numbers could have been significantly better.
Chris Brazzell dropped what would have been a 48-yard touchdown in the first half and Chas Nimrod dropped perhaps Iamaleava’s best ball of the night on a crossing route. Instead of what would have been a 68-yard touchdown, Tennessee had just one of its two three-and-outs on the night and punted.
If Brazzell and Nimrod make two plays they should have made, Iamaleava throws for over 400 yards and three touchdowns.
The stats, or potential stats, only tell part of the story for Iamaleava against Kentucky. Tennessee’s redshirt freshman quarterback made big throws and big plays throughout the night. He connected with Nimrod to move the sticks on an out route from the far hash and made a beautiful throw on the run to a tightly defended Dont’e Thornton on a crucial third down in the fourth quarter.
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Iamaleava made the splash plays that we’ve seen sprinkled in throughout the season in critical moments throughout the game. But he did it while commanding the offense and having only one turnover worthy play. The talented underclassmen hadn’t shown that for a full game in his young career until Saturday night.
“I thought he played with great confidence, great poise,” Heupel said. “Made plays when they presented themselves. It was close on some deep balls down the football field. Close, man. I thought he saw things really well. So all in all, really, really good command, presence from him throughout the course of the night.”
Iamaleava didn’t run the ball often against Kentucky but he had a couple really important runs. He scrambled for a fourth down conversion on Tennessee’s first touchdown drive of the night and later escaped the pocket as it was collapsing on him to move the sticks.
Tennessee is still far from perfect and didn’t seamlessly turn in a strong second half against Alabama into a strong game against Kentucky. But Iamaleava did turn what was his best half of the season into his best game of the season the next time out.
“He’s a young player that continues to get better with every play,” Heupel said postgame. “You guys heard me say that before the season. But his competitive makeup and ability to make plays, be a good decision maker back there. … Good news for him and for us is his best football still in front of him.”
It’s hard to gauge what the ceiling is for the flawed Tennessee team in a year with such few great college football teams. But Iamaleava’s improvement paired with the Vols’ defense is a reason for excitement.
