Iowa had the better punter.
Tennessee had the better quarterback.
Who would you want in your wallet?
Freshman Nico Iamaleava, making his first start at Tennessee, accounted for four touchdowns against the nation’s fourth-best scoring defense as the No. 21 Vols routed 17th-ranked Iowa 35-0 Monday afternoon in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.
It was Tennessee’s second-most lop-sided bowl win in history.
Iamaleava ran for three touchdowns against an Iowa defense that had allowed four rushing scores all season. He hit McCallan Castles for an 18-yard touchdown in the final minutes. And he ran Josh Heupel’s up-tempo offense the way it’s supposed to be run.
“I thought he did a great job just controlling everything,” Heupel said of Iamaleava. “He did a fantastic job. He made a bunch of plays. … He’s a special player.”
Indeed, Iamaleava had a special performance against an Iowa team that had allowed more than 20 points to just two teams: Michigan and Penn State.
He opened the scoring with a 19-yard run up the middle. He added touchdown runs of 8 and 2 yards, then delivered a TD pass.
The other UT score was turned in by defensive end James Pearce, who had a 52-yard interception return for his first career touchdown.
“I’ve always had confidence in this team,” said Iamaleava, who was informed on about Dec. 15 that he would be the starter, prompting Joe Milton to opt out.
“I knew we’d go out there and take care of business. I’m glad we could go out with a win and get our seniors a (bowl) ring.”
Heupel wasn’t surprised his prize five-star recruit responded with an outstanding game.
“As a young player, the moment, nothing it too big for him,” Heupel said. “He’s very in control. He does a great relating to all of the guys at every position. He’s a dynamic leader already as a young guy.
“I’m really pleased with his poise and his playmaking ability today.”
Iamaleava didn’t have eye-popping stats. He was 12 of 19 passing for 151 yards. He had 27 yards on 15 carries with three scores.
But he made key plays in the run game and passing game, showing the promise UT fans had hoped for when he signed with the Vols.
The only concerns: Iamaleava was sacked five times, once running into the rush, and he was able to help UT convert just 3 of 12 on third downs.
Otherwise, the positives far outweighed the negatives.
Iamaleava wasn’t the only star for the Vols, who were playing minus 19 players due to injury, declaring for the NFL or the transfer portal (including eight defensive backs). Dylan Sampson had 133 yards on 20 carries, getting the bulk of the load with UT down two running backs.
Cam Seldon added 55 yards on 13 runs.
The Vols rushed for 232 yards — 130 more than Iowa was allowing – on 54 carries.
The Vols had 383 total yards – 108 more than Iowa was allowing.
The Vols also scored touchdowns on their first four red-zone penetrations after converting TDs on just 49% inside the 20 during the regular season.
UT’s defense was also superb, pitching a shutout against one the worst offenses in the country. The Vols held Iowa to 173 total yards, 2 of 15 on third downs and 9 of 25 passings for 60 yards.
UT also recorded five sacks and forced Iowa to start nine of its 12 possessions at its 25 or worse.
UT not only got a pick six from Pearce, but it got a key end-zone interception on Iowa’s second possession by Andre Torrentine. If not for that pick, who knows if Iowa’s offense would have gained confidence.
Instead, UT’s defense and Iamaleava made sure to keep Iowa at bay.
And bring optimism toward the next season.
“It’s the start of the 2024 season,” Iamaleava said, “so going into it, we’ve got a good mindset.”
