Tennessee's freshman quarterback, Nico Iamaleava, made his first start in the Citrus Bowl against Iowa. He expressed readiness for the challenge and led the Vols to a dominant 35-0 victory. Iamaleava scored three rushing touchdowns and threw an 18-yard pass to tight end McCallan Castles. The game showcased his promising potential as the Vols' future quarterback. The Iowa offense struggled to make an impact, with Tennessee's defense proving formidable. The Vols' performance, particularly Iamaleava's, has sparked discussions about their prospects for the 2024 season.
#Vols 23, Norfolk State 16, 7:09/1stH. Dalton Knecht just splashed a three. We'll see if that gets him going again. Tennessee ball after this media timeout on the floor.
#Vols 16, Norfolk State 9, 10:06/1stH. Tennessee ball after this media timeout on the floor. Vols running mostly good offense so far. Good movement, cutting, passing. Just missing some shots. But considering it's the first game in 11 days, more to like than not like. JMO.
.@TwoRiversFord Poll: What does the ceiling look like in 2024 for the #Vols with Nico at QB?
The #Vols stomp Iowa in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl 35-0 in Nico Iamaleava's first start. How do we feel about where Tennessee could be headed with Nico as starting QB? @joerexrode and I discuss now on @1025TheGame https://t.co/WV5yqRNUYM
Nico Iamaleava shines in his first start for the #Vols yesterday. What did we make of his performance and what could it mean for Tennessee as he takes over as starting QB next season? @joerexrode and I discuss now on @1025TheGame https://t.co/WV5yqRNUYM
WATCH: Nico Iamaleava, James Pearce Jr., McCallan Castles, Dylan Sampson, Cameron Seldon and Tyre West react to the #Vols' Citrus Bowl win over Iowa https://t.co/blrN436I5l
🎥 No-Huddle with @GoVols247 🎥 Me and @benmckee14 react to Tennessee dismantling Iowa in the Citrus Bowl with our thoughts on James Pearce Jr., Nico Iamaleava, Dylan Sampson and what this means for 2023 (and 2024). ➡️ https://t.co/nLXWDMVIj1 #Vols
Nico Iamaleava Leads Tennessee to Citrus Bowl Rout in First Career Start https://t.co/VWsR80UcZQ
Iowa UNDERs were 💰 this season, finishing 12-2. Iowa-Tennessee stays UNDER 37. Final score: Tennessee 35, Iowa 0 ✅
Tennessee tops Iowa in the Citrus Bowl. https://t.co/TNmFWucIEk
Tennessee shuts out and dominates Iowa to win the Citrus Bowl. 👏 ✅ TENN -4.5 ✅ U 36.5 https://t.co/zL8aLIefde
The Vols win the Citrus Bowl, and boy did they win! Iowa couldn't score a point against them as freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava made a stellar first career start as a Vol. https://t.co/3TeQXwFOBo https://t.co/bADuedAO6r
The Vols BLANKED Iowa in the Citrus Bowl 🍊 https://t.co/tJoyaKy39H
Iowa's scoring output over the last 10 quarters 😂 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 https://t.co/Fiiu4GCqV8
Final Tennessee 35 Iowa 0 #Hawkeyes
Iowa turns it over on downs again. This time at its own 34-yard line. #Vols 35, Iowa 0, 3:17/4thQ.
Tennessee with 4 red zone trips against Iowa Vols go 4 for 4 scoring touchdowns (3 rushing, 1 passing) https://t.co/f89TlR2bhz
Touchdown stands. Iamaleava to McCallan Castles, 18 yards. #Vols 35, Iowa 0, 4:48/4thQ.
Touchdown Tennessee. Nico Iamaleava 18-yard pass to tight end McCallan Castles, if it stands.
Let the Nico Iamaleava hype begin. It's not smart to fall into the bowl game performance hype. However, this was a very solid performance against a really good defense, and it should make Tennessee fans very excited about the future.
End 3rd: Tennessee 21, Iowa 0. Hawkeyes have 0 touchdowns in their last 9 quarters. Facing fourth-and-inches to start the fourth quarter.
Iowa's defense is a tough test for a freshman quarterback who hasn't played a ton. Nico Iamaleava has 119 pass yards, 3 rushing touchdowns, has taken care of the ball. He's the first QB to score multiple rush TDs against Iowa in a bowl game since Josh Dobbs did it in 2015. #Vols
Touchdown, Tennessee. Nico Iamaleava rushes for his third touchdown of the game from 2-yards out following the James Pearce Jr. strip sack. #Vols lead Iowa 21-0 with 1:43 remaining in the third quarter.
Nico is going to be a damn star at Tennessee. Vols got something special with him.
Touchdown Tennessee. Nico Iamaleava goes improv on a busted play, plunges in from 2 yards. His third TD run of the day, it if stands.
Iowa goes three-and-out. Iowa will punt the ball to Tennessee. https://t.co/AkqC7uEJhg
#Vols miss a great chance for a kill shot to open the second half. Ball punted inside the Iowa 6-yard line, though.
Iowa has 81 total yards, Deacon Hill is 4 of 11 for 29 yards. Tennessee leads 14-0. Nobody has seen an Iowa TD for the last 133:22 of game action. Nobody has seen an Iowa TD pass in the last 190:20 of game action. https://t.co/YoNYYFfG4Q
Iowa has 74 total yards, Deacon Hill is 4 of 11 for 29 yards. Tennessee leads 14-0. Nobody has seen an Iowa TD for the last 133:22 of game action. Nobody has seen an Iowa TD pass in the last 190:20 of game action. https://t.co/mXIdlw1IxW
One more half of Iowa offense. https://t.co/FdMPyUQgfk
Nothing doing again for Iowa's offense, and it punts the ball to Tennessee ... but it did flip the field and force the #Vols inside their own 15.
Iowa allows one first down before getting a stop it badly needed. Tennessee flips the field with a 47-yard punt and no return, though, so Iowa will start at its own 22-yard line with 3:53 left in the second quarter.
I’m just kidding with all the crazy Nico hype but it’s promising that he’s looking so effective against what is supposed to be an elite Iowa defense. Iowa ranks 3rd in the country in scoring defense, allows just 13.2 points per game. Tennessee managed 14 points in four drives.
Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava rushes for his second TD, takes the Vols to a 14-0 lead. Iowa hasn't scored a TD in 125 minutes, 10 seconds of game action before this kickoff (early 2Q at Nebraska). https://t.co/oQ8iqjfBdA
Iowa allowed only 102.5 rushing yards per game. Tennessee has rushed for 124 yards in a quarter and a half with two starting OLs and two RBs not playing. https://t.co/fdTNwPaz9Q
Touchdown Tennessee. Nico Iamaleava 3-yard run. #Vols up two scores on Iowa.
A delay of game and sack on the first two plays, and Iowa goes three-and-out. #Vols getting the ball right back.
Tennessee and Iowa watching each other play offense https://t.co/r6w6eQkRcj
Tennessee has only played a tiny number of defenses better than the one it faces today. Pretty strong start to Nico Iamaleava's career so far.
Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava bursts up the middle on a 19-yard draw for a TD on the first play of the second quarter. Vols lead 7-0.
Nico is smooth! Tennessee might have a pretty legit qb come next season
Touchdown Tennessee. Nico Iamaleava 19-yard run. #Vols strike first on the first play of the second quarter.
End 1st: Iowa 0, Tennessee 0.
Dylan Sampson with a couple of chunk-ish plays. #Vols in scoring range.
Iowa's offense is what it is, but every time you run the ball at this Tennessee defense, you're doing the Vols a favor.
Tennessee wins the toss, defers. Iowa ball to start.
Iowa sets sights on Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee in Citrus Bowl https://t.co/oH13rsZfen https://t.co/1n5GVYFESd
🎥 No-Huddle with @GoVols247 🎥 Me & @benmckee14 react to hearing from Tennessee's coordinators and team captains this morning previewing the Citrus Bowl matchup with Iowa, talking Nico's first start, the new-look secondary and more. ➡️ https://t.co/3ymGnT5Fys #Vols
“My first start, going against a top-five defense – I’m ready for the challenge. I’m ready to go out there and compete with my brothers.” Everything Nico Iamaleava said after Tennessee wrapped up Thursday's practice ahead of the Citrus Bowl. ➡️ https://t.co/qrP2jKJVDD #Vols
Nico Iamaleava not the only Tennessee freshman set for larger role in Citrus Bowl. The likes of RB Cameron Seldon, CB Rickey Gibson III and others are likely to get a jump on 2024 for the #Vols against Iowa. ➡️ https://t.co/EQqntR8GVe via @pbrown247