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The Nico Era Off and Running
Tennessee is one of two SEC teams (South Carolina) starting a redshirt freshman at quarterback in 2024 as Nico Iamaleava has taken the reins. Iamaleava, a former five-star recruit from Long Beach, California, made his second career start and first in Neyland Stadium last weekend.
He was named SEC Co-Freshman of the Week as he set a UT record for most passing yards in a half with 314, topping the previous record of 313 by Tyler Bray in the first half versus Troy on Nov. 3, 2012. It marked the fourth 300-yard passing total in a half in program history.
Iamaleava connected on his first 10 passes and finished 22-of-28 with three touchdowns and no picks in only one half of work. He was the first freshman quarterback (true or redshirt) to start an opener for the Vols since true freshman Brent Schaeffer did so against UNLV on Sept. 5, 2004.
Offensive Fireworks in Season Opener
The Vols opened their 128th season with 718 yards of total offense in an emphatic 69-3 victory over Chattanooga last Saturday in Neyland Stadium. The 69 points were the second-most points scored in the modern era (1937-present) and were the most in the Josh Heupel era.
The 66-point margin of victory was the third-highest of the modern era. The margin of victory was the highest for Tennessee in a season opener since defeating Carson-Newman, 101-0, on Sept. 25, 1915 while the 718 yards of total offense tied for the second-most in a single game in school history and the second-most in the Heupel era. The Vols churned out 724 against Missouri in 2022.
The 718 yards were also the second-most by an FBS team in week one behind only Ole Miss' 772. UT scored on its first seven possessions against the Mocs, including touchdowns on the first three drives. The Vols capped the first half with 45 points, seven shy of their program record for a half, and 503 total yards (314 passing, 189 rushing).
Non-Conference Win Streak
Tennessee has won 11 non-conference games in a row and is 14-2 overall versus non-SEC foes under Heupel. UT has outscored non-conference opponents 772-236 in the Heupel era and has secured perfect non-conference regular season records in back-to-back years (2022-23) under Heupel.
Special Teams Continue to Flourish
The Big Orange have thrived on special teams under coordinator Mike Ekeler, who is in his fourth season with the program. Tennessee did it again in its week one win over Chattanooga, as true freshman defensive end Jordan Ross, making his collegiate debut, blocked a punt and returned it 13 yards for a touchdown with 1:07 left in the fourth quarter. Ross was the first Vol to return a blocked punt for a touchdown since Daniel Bituli returned one 29 yards against South Carolina on Oct. 26, 2019.
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