Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava may be young. Still, he’s mature enough to know what the Vols’ trip to Oklahoma meant for his head coach.

Iamaleava knew exactly who should receive the game ball following the Vols’ 25-15 win over Oklahoma in Norman on Saturday night. That’s why the redshirt freshman handed over the sentimental piece of memorabilia to Josh Heupel in the locker room following the game.

“We’ve been wanting this for coach,” Iamaleava said after winning his first true road game as a starter. “I knew it was Coach ‘Heup coming back to his original home. He went to college here. He coached here. So I know it meant a lot to him. He didn’t show it as much during the week, but we know what it meant to him and what it meant to us.”

Heupel coached for over a decade at Oklahoma before being let go in 2014 as the Sooners’ co-offensive coordinator. He led the Sooners to a national championship as their starting quarterback in 2000. 

There were plenty of reasons to get teary eyed about the return. However, there were also plenty of reasons to bear down on the game itself considering this would prove to be the first real test of the season for Tennessee, which has simply overwhelmed lessor opponents in its first four games.

One reason to focus on the Sooners and not the past is Iamaleava’s lack of experience in an away environment. Iamaleava had yet to play in a true road game. He has done so now and is 5-0 as a starter dating back to the Citrus Bowl win against Iowa.

“It feels great, man,” Iamaleava said before quickly praising his teammates. “To come to an opposing stadium and get the ‘W.’ I thought our team did a great job. Our defense played outstanding. Special teams played great. We got to clean some stuff up on offense. We’ll be better.”

Iamaleava has already done as much. Even at such a young age, the redshirt freshman was able to see the scope of the game, that Tennessee could beat Oklahoma with a smothering defense as long as he didn’t make a mistake by forcing passes into coverage, which cost him earlier this season.

“I think I learned that (in the) N.C. State game,” Iamaleava said, referring to an interception he threw against the Wolfpack earlier this season. “It’s to not force things, just play within the offense.”

Iamaleava was efficient when he threw the ball, completing 13 of 21 passes for 194 yards and a touchdown despite an unusual amount of pressure. He did lose two fumbles, but that could be blamed on pass protection. 

While the game was on the road, Tennessee was well represented in Norman. The “Bru” chants could be heard when Tennessee receiver Bru McCoy caught a pass, which he did four times for 92 yards.

“I wasn’t expecting to hear those,” Iamaleava admitted, “but, me and Bru have been working hard. All the work we put in in the off season, we’re just trying to display it out there on the field.”

Even though deep strikes weren’t at the center of the Vols’ game plan, there were still some to be had. McCoy caught a 42-yard pass from Iamaleava, who also completed a 66-yard pass to Dont’e Thornton Jr., for a touchdown.

“I was just excited,” said Thornton, who ran away from Oklahoma’s defenders as he sprinted towards the end zone. “I was hoping I didn’t get tackled really. I just wanted to score.”

Iamaleava said that the touchdown was based on him reading Oklahoma’s defense, which had brought a safety into the tackle box, surely to stop the Vols’ formidable rushing attack, which accounted for 151 yards and a touchdown despite being down two offensive tackles for most of the game due to injury.

Thornton leads the Vols with three touchdown receptions on the season. He is also the team leader with 242 receiving yards despite being tied for fourth on the team in receptions. It’s all about that YAC for Thornton, or yards after catch. Thornton is averaging over 34 yards per reception.

This season, however, hasn’t been as much about Tennessee’s offense as it has been about the Vols’ defense, which has given up just 176 yards per game. That ranks tops in the nation. Iamaleava said that Tennessee’s high level of defensive play is a source of motivation for him.

“It gets me to try and get our offense to play the same way,” Iamaleava said. “Defense is playing lights out. We gotta help them out…stay on the field longer, converting third downs, just overall operating as an offense.”

There seems to be no frustration in how the season has played out for Iamaleava, who would surely prefer to be throwing deep passes on every play. Or would he? Maybe Iamaleava is just genuinely excited about his counterparts on the other side of the ball.

“That’s really pretty much how it makes me feel when our defense is playing so well,” Iamaleava said. “My hat’s off to them and they’re the anchor of our team. I’m excited to see those guys go out there and play.”

Iamaleava and the Vols now have some housekeeping to tend to during the off week before Tennessee plays at Arkansas on Oct. 5. Tennessee’s offensive line, which gave up three sacks against the Sooners, needs to get healthier. That’s the No. 1 concern.

Given all the hype around Iamaleava, one thing is often forgotten. He is still just a redshirt freshman, has just started five games and is far from reaching his potential.

“I feel like I’m doing a good job at, progressing in it,” Iamaleava said of his grasp in the Vols’ offense.

Indeed. With a bye week upcoming, the progression could be pronounced before the Vols head to Fayetteville.