Nico Iamaleava had his most significant passing performance of the season to lead No. 7
Tennessee 's to a 28-18 win over Kentucky on Saturday night. The redshirt freshman quarterback passed for 292 yards, the second most of his career. He passed for 314 yards in just one half against Chattanooga in the season opener. But the stakes were low and the competition was inferior in that game. Against Kentucky, Iamaleava had pinpoint accuracy and poise in a game the Vols (7-1, 4-1 SEC) had to win over the Wildcats (3-6, 1-6) to stay firmly in the College Football Playoff picture. Here’s a quick rundown of Iamaleava’s performance against Kentucky.
Nico Iamaleava’s stats
Iamaleava was 28-of-38 passing for 292 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions against Kentucky. He was sacked twice. Through eight games in the 2024 season, Iamaleava has completed 70% of his passes for 1,705 yards, nine TDs and four interceptions.
Nico’s best: Patience on touchdown pass
Iamaleava showed steady patience to toss a 6-yard TD pass that gave Tennessee a 21-10 lead late in the third quarter. On second down from the 6-yard line, Iamaleava rolled to the right off play action and eyed tight end Holden Staes, who came across the formation from left to right as the primary receiver. Staes was covered by two defenders, and there was no other receiver in the area. But Iamaleava kept rolling until tight end Miles Kitselman cut from the middle of the field to the right and came open in the back of the end zone. Iamaleava didn’t panic as the pass rush drew closer. And he threw back across the field for the touchdown.
Nico’s worst: Dropped passes
These mistakes didn’t belong to Iamaleava, but he suffered the consequences of them. Tennessee receivers dropped three passes that would've gone for touchdowns. Chris Brazzell dropped a deep pass in the end zone that would’ve been a 49-yard TD. Kitselman lost the handle on another pass in the end zone after taking a vicious hit under the chin from a Kentucky defender. And in the fourth quarter, Chas Nimrod dropped a pass in his stomach over the middle, and there were no defenders between him and the goal line. All three passes from Iamaleava were on target.
Grade: B+
Iamaleava had pinpoint accuracy on almost all his passes, and he never looked rattled. That was important as the Vols came off an open week and entered the final month of the regular season. Iamaleava completed his first six passes for 72 yards. He was 15-of-20 passing for 180 yards in the first half. And his accuracy was solid in the second half, as well. Tennessee continued to have problems on offense, but they weren’t because of Iamaleava.
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