How Tennessee’s quarterback Nico Iamaleava responded to his two interceptions reveals a lot about potential
Charlotte, NC – Nico Iamaleava’s ability to bounce back after an error is an aspect of his game that’s falling slightly under the radar.
It could be what separates Tennessee in close games down the road.
Let’s set the scene quickly.
On Tennessee’s third possession, Nico Iamaleava threw his first of two picks against NC State.
Tennessee’s defense held the Wolfpack to a field goal to make it 7-3 Vols near the end of the first quarter.
Then on the very next possession for Tennessee’s offense, Iamaleava approached the drive independent of what happened previously.
On the second play of the drive, he took a shot deep down the sideline for what would be his only completion of 20 or more yards and it went to Squirrel White for 45 yards.
One, that aggressive play call didn’t surprise anyone.
“It didn’t surprise me one bit,” said Squirrel White. “We knew what they (NC State) was in, the coordinators did a great job calling the play.”
Part of the reason he was able to do that is because of his ability to keep each snap independent of the next.
It was evident by his body language, and how he was operating the offense and communication with his teammates.
Tight end Holden Staes gave insight into those conversations earlier Monday afternoon.
“It was just supper impressive as the young leader that Nico is,” said Staes. “He came over to us on the sideline and was like, “That’s my bad.” And we were like, “No, bro we got you. We got your back.” So as soon as we went out there for the next drive, we knew that we were playing our game. The only success (NC State) was having was self-inflicted wounds from us. So we just went out there and continued to do what we were doing.”
“He only got better at that pick,” said Staes.
Another bright spot was seeing Iamaleava be explosive with his legs.
His 31-yard rushing touchdown was beautifully set up by the right guard shifting over to the left side to set up a solid block for Iamaleava.
He was hot off the line and NC State’s DBs appeared to not even know he was running until he got just past the line of scrimmage. By then it was already too late because there wasn’t a single red jersey in the middle of the field
Part of the reason he was able to do that is because he remains patient in Josh Heupel’s offense.
Especially when things weren’t going his way, whether from miscues, plays breaking down, or trying to survive the run defense.
As a lot of the plays the Wolfpack defense setup resulted in loading the box with five or eight defenders.
While some of it was to guard the run game, it also put Iamaleava in plenty of pressure situations.
“We can be better at points within our technique, wasn’t true misidentification,” said Heupel. “We have to be a little bit better within our fundamentals and technique at times, and that’s everybody, its running back, the offensive line and our tight ends were involved in it as well. Couple of times he has a little deep in the pocket too, which applies pressure to the tackles. It’s all eleven operating as one. I made that point to our offense this morning, and that’s in everything we are doing.”
Some of the time he took advantage of it.
Now as the Vols turn their attention to Kent State, it’s about building on those experiences the prior two weeks.
