Tennessee Football Film Study: The TRUTH about NICO IAMALEAVA's start vs Iowa + JOSH HEUPEL cooks!

Nico Iamaleava shook the college football world when the Tennessee Volunteers dominated the Iowa Hawkeyes. This SEC film study highlights where the Vols QB succeeded and struggled in Josh Heupel's offense.
SEC Football Fans COMMENT BELOW on today's video!
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VFL Chapters
0:00 Tennessee vs Iowa Film Study
0:11 Nico Iamaleava
0:21 1st Quarter
8:41 TD Run
8:51 2nd Quarter
14:18 Best Throw!
18:41 3rd Quarter
23:03 4th Quarter
24:14 TD Pass
25:22 Final Stats
26:35 Best SEC QB?
27:50 Dinner!
#tennesseevols #collegefootball

[@powerhoursec]

*College Football Fans* Who will be the best QB in the SEC next season? -Type "N" for Nico Iamaleava -Type "C" for Carson Beck -Type "J" for Jalen Milroe -Type "O" for Other

[@willcampbell2485]

Best QB or best stats? QB - N Best stats - C

[@westleyspears916]

Nico will be a better QB

[@rayray333777]

Nico hands down!

[@mikebleek66]

O

[@grex8425]

I'm a Hawk fan and I was happy when I heard your 2nd string qb was going to be starting against us I figured we would lose regardless of the qb but I thought that would give us a fighting chance especially with Tennessee having multiple opt outs...needless to say I did not expect that kind of a performance from a freshman. That kid is going to be great congrats Tennessee.

[@tendjinn]

We knew he'd be good but I don't think many of us thought he'd be so composed. I expected a lot more mistakes. Nico is going to be truly special, imo. And as long as our program has suffered, I'm excited that he gives us a chance to genuinely be back.

[@rabbitscryptos7757]

We would have lost if Milton started. My fellow vol fans will point to stats and say no but we simply can not run our real offense with Milton and he crumbled against every decent defense that we played. Iowa would have gotten two interceptions at least and momentum would have been destroyed. I've told everyone this entire year that Nico was a big upgrade over Milton as soon as he stepped foot onto our campus. Now people know. He just has that magic "it" factor. Iowa's defense is legit though.They would have eaten Milton alive.

[@westonharter6352]

Hawks sacked him all game and he still showed he could ball so that was impressive it was a good game Iowa just needs a offense and they could be super deadly good game

[@mgway4661]

He was the number one recruit in the class of 23

[@rabbitscryptos7757]

@@mgway4661 and now you know why ✅

[@fernandoalarcon8534]

Watched Nico play at Warren high school in Downey, California. He can sling it and is very accurate. If he gets an o-line, Tennessee will be hard to beat.

[@BadKwality]

That was our backups, only 2 starters played and they were in the middle, the left tackle in this game was a starter as well, but has had several internal issues all year and he has since been asked to hit the portal

[@agentorange3417]

Oh, we got one now. Just need a left guard.

[@matthewhartup941]

Nico's quick release is sick. He's a pretty fast twitch athlete for a QB.. had no clue he was that fast in the open field and man he has some elite foot work in the pocket. He gonna be really really good.

[@powerhoursec]

No doubt Matthew. Heupel has GOT to reach the playoff at least once with him at QB

[@godgunsandammo1556]

The throw on the run to Keaton was a good throw.when he settles down he is gonna light some dbs up

[@MakeDaddyA.Sandwhich]

"Iowa's a respectable power 5 program....RUN IT UP ON EM" 😂😂😂 i love it

[@powerhoursec]

Bingo. Make it rain

[@celiahall4338]

This was great. Thanks! GB🍊

[@DeeDocker]

Okay. Today was the first time I found your page. There are several Vol pages that talk Vols, but I love that you talk with what seems like knowledge of player positions, expectations of plays, and good unbias evaluation of players. It is like being in a real film room with coaches. I have subscribed to your page and look forward to your future posts.

[@powerhoursec]

Thank you Dee! I appreciate this. What would you like to see in the future? Here are all of my breakdowns from this season in a handy playlist! - kzbin.info/www/bejne/aIvbeIiGYpWCj68

[@tendjinn]

Really appreciate this breakdown! It's so helpful for a lot of us to understand what's really going on in a play. I will say regarding OL... we had several starters out which may explain how often they were beat. Also, as great as Samson is as a runner, he was responsible for 1 maybe 2 sacks all on his own. It's the one thing he's got to get better at. As for Nico.... I would've loved to have seen a better passing stat line but 2 things on that... 1, it really did seem we were fairly conservative playcalling wise despite some aspects like throwing the middle finally opening up (understandable given pass pro and other issues as well as how good Iowa's defense has been all year) and 2. with the WRs we had out even if pass pro hadn't been an issue it's a big ask for an inexperienced QB to post eye popping stats with largely inexperienced WRs. The two things that shocked me most (in a good way) about Nico's performance were 1. how calm he was - nothing rattled him AND 2. how fast he was. I'd seen his arm before but those things really stood out given the scenario.

[@powerhoursec]

Very fair on Sampson. He needs another offseason to become a more complete back. I think he's very good now

[@tendjinn]

@@powerhoursec I love Sampson and think he has the potential to be truly great. And to be fair he had some great blocks past the line but those interior disruptions (when he's running up the middle on a passing play and needs to disrupt the guy coming through) get him every time. Spencer Riley (center for the 98 team) talked about how Jamal Lewis wasn't very good at pass pro/blocking at first and how we worked with him on that. We need to do that with Sampson.

[@solidfoundations7020]

Soo we had both starting tackles out for this game. And honestly a very hurt Oline all season

[@powerhoursec]

Gotta build depth

[@ManfreeFreeman]

My opinion on "running up the score" has always been that it is the opponents job to stop you. If the opponent can't then so be it. Georgia beat FSU by 60 and i haven't heard anything about them running up the score. Same when Tennessee got beat by 29 by mizsou. It is not the offenses job to stop the offense

[@powerhoursec]

Yup. Keep running it up in D1 P5.

[@jaypan888]

Gotta drop a thank you in the comments! Please continue to bless us Vols Fans with break down Vids! Next year will be crazy!! 🏈🟧⬜️🟧⬜️🟧⬜️

[@powerhoursec]

Jay Pan! Love the energy. What would you like to see?

[@jaypan888]

I’d like to see more of what you’ve done. As a basketball player I never played football so having you explain what happened to make or break a play is very interesting. So and so missed a block and coach called a bad call… ect. Key plays. 🟧⬜️🟧⬜️🏈

[@Gunner662]

Tennessee only had 2 starters on the OL for this game. 54 has entered the portal, so that is a plus for them.

[@owen4908]

Thanks!

[@powerhoursec]

THANK YOU OWEN!

[@jeffreybonner6895]

Nico is a star. The expectation is a natty out of him.

[@powerhoursec]

I see a playoff for sure

[@mgway4661]

We can’t do it without depth on the O-Line

[@spencerwarren9219]

Yes

[@Liam22278]

Running game wasn’t explosive? Tennessee put more rushing yards on Iowa than anyone all year. Sampson ran for 10 yards a carry

[@powerhoursec]

Welcome Liam! Explosive runs are 15+ yards. There was one in this game from a RB. And Sampson averaged 6.7 per carry.

[@Liam22278]

@@powerhoursec fair enough, though I think explosive in terms of run game is subjective. I thought Tennessee’s backs did a great job reading their keys, making first level miss and mostly ran at will against a top 10 defense, and that was without a few key OL starters that opted out.

[@powerhoursec]

No doubt. Very good performance. Thanks for watching

[@BadKwality]

We had a solid OLine when healthy, but we only had all 5 starters in maybe 3 games this year

[@powerhoursec]

So key. Gotta build that depth

[@walkerperry4465]

Recruiting with a hand behind our backs is part of why depth is still difficult to build

[@powerhoursec]

@@walkerperry4465 why do you have a hand behind your back?

[@mgway4661]

@@powerhoursecwe had a huge NCAA penalty looming over us this season. Now its behind us

[@robholloway749]

We had our best quarterback on the field in the bowl game Nico is Head and Shoulders better than Joe I'm so glad I'll never see Joe in another Orange Jersey

[@rabbitscryptos7757]

Amen. Milton plats like he's stoned out of his mind and could care less about actually winning. He could throw a game flipping interception and be on the sidelines just smiling and laughing. I never saw any real desire to win at all costs from him. Zero dawg. Looks like Tarzan played like jane. Nico has that dawg in him and much better football IQ and instincts.

[@markgoins5561]

Sampson was supposed to chip that LB on the screen and he would have had a TD. His lack of passport and blocking left him on the bench against the Gators

[@jeffreycash1572]

We've got to get a few more pieces on the o line. Its been a problem all year.

[@samuelleonard3006]

I think the gameplan was always going to be run heavy against a defense like Iowa. They gave Nico good opportunities and he delivered pretty well. I do think if Keaton would have kept running it would have been there for him to catch it. The real question is would he have caught it?

[@powerhoursec]

It's tough to say. The ball placement was very intruiging

[@benjaminwatkins1305]

Those were back up ol both tackles and I think both guards

[@powerhoursec]

Gotta build depth

[@Voluvr]

True. lunging forward and not sitting in on pass block is not good

[@powerhoursec]

It happened so often. Darnell Wright was so underrated

[@lilzenzo7645]

Don’t worry lance heard is going to be there

[@jimmyBurnett]

Thing about a great Qb they don't need a great line because Nico can scramble Turn a mistake into a huge mistake for the other team. We just need a good Oline. Better receivers, ones that can get open at will and can catch the easy balls in their hands. A missed opportunity changes the game you might not get another opportunity. When it's your opportunity be ready for it!!!!!! Practice on things you need to. drop balls can be fixed if you practice. No excuse for it. Wish we had a good fast back that can run catch and block. If you can't block you might get our Qb hurt. Very happy with Nico he will only get better if he doesn't get hurt. He runs a good way so he won't get hurt. He decides his direction and they have to follow he decides his hits not have them decided on him. They have to take what he gives them. That is good!!!! Could be more accurate to be a Tom Brady. He could be a Tom Brady but better. It's up to him!!!!!

[@rabbitscryptos7757]

He's not tom brady probably but he could definitely be a jayden daniels type of college talent. But who knows his skillset has no limits imo. To be the GOAT you got to be obsessed with obtaining perfection though. We will see.

[@IIISWILIII]

Easily Y. Nico is the best QB the Vols have landed since Peyton Manning.

[@powerhoursec]

Big words! What throw stood out to you the most?

[@IIISWILIII]

@@powerhoursec his awareness and accuracy is insane, especially for a true freshman. He hit one receiver in the hands on the sidelines in a dead Sprint who was completely covered. That window must have only been 2 ft by 2 ft. Add another 30 yd pass that would have hit Romel Keaton in stride in the hands, who was also covered, had he not pulled up at the end of his route. I didn't see an off pass from the kid all night. You recall any other true freshman in their first start rush for three touchdowns and throw for another versus a top 10 defense?

[@rabbitscryptos7757]

Hooker, T Martin and Clausen were pretty damn good as well. Dobbs and Bray could have been great as well with Heupel mentoring them.

[@VolsSlimJimmy]

I hope so cuz Tennessee has not been very good for most of my life and it would be nice for a change

[@powerhoursec]

Were you alive for Fulmer?

[@willcampbell2485]

This guys laugh is hilarious😂

[@powerhoursec]

Gotta have fun with these! Also, love the name Will Campbell

[@willcampbell2485]

@@powerhoursec thanks man, not the LSU lineman😂

[@BadKwality]

Just so you know, our o line only had 2 starters playing the bowl game

[@powerhoursec]

Gotcha

[@chadguerassio5558]

UT will be better in 24. Better WRs, OL, DBs plus the young players like Nico and the RBs will have another offseason to get ready. 10-2 and in the playoffs.

[@powerhoursec]

It's plausible for sure

[@nolanbeats2]

I’m not sure you understand these outside routes how hard these receivers are running off these corners and then coming back 10-15 yards

[@powerhoursec]

Oh I do. Very well coached. Wild how many comebacks Vols hit every game

[@wordword6039]

I liked Nico's progression (IMO better than Joe Miltons for sure). But ...he has to act just a little earlier. Hooker would act once he saw an opening immediately. I mean watching Nico and Hooker. Hooker was just faster at acting (agreeing that Nico is still a young freshman). I think Nico will get faster. Hooker in his progression when he saw the first opening he would just hit it. Nico it seems is trying to go through his entire progression (probably coached that way).

[@powerhoursec]

Yeah the hard part about comparing those two is the age difference

[@wordword6039]

@@powerhoursec Age and experience. But I was trying to address the hysteria about Nico being heisman, 1st round draft choice on and on. I definately like him and think he may in fact be all of that. But as you said he's young yet

[@Volfanj]

NICO

[@foster7517]

N FOR THE WIN

[@powerhoursec]

He's a baller for sure! What was your favorite play?

[@foster7517]

​@@powerhoursecthat play where he escaped pressure and ran to the right and hit the receiver on the sideline..I also like that Lil play where he stiff armed that dude he only got about 7 yards but i like it lol this boy wants it bad that's a bit of a negative too tho because he holds on to the ball when he should throw it away but he does it because he knows if he can just get a little space he can make somthing happen..loving nico tho I think we will be pretty decent this year tho if our o line can show up wel be pretty good

[@ut_punkn1859]

I wished Nico would of Pump faked the ball on his last TD run to get the defender to jump so he would of had an easier time running it in.

[@powerhoursec]

True, but that all comes with time. Running was working so he trusted it!

[@rossweaver2128]

So right about 4 min mark that wasn’t “freshman” read. It told his actual football IQ.

[@powerhoursec]

Thanks for watching, Ross!

[@jaward51]

If he stays healthy, Y

[@tamafaiga2938]

Recruit some Samoan, Tongan Offensive Line men

[@user-mo4wc7yw5p]

Basically, Washington football entire offensive and defensive line literally 😂

[@misterjones6696]

OKAY????? 4 TDS in his 1st start 3 rushing 1 passing against a top 10 defense id say that was better than OKAY !!!!!!

[@powerhoursec]

I'd give it a solid B. Remember, I never really broke down the negatives. I think he is special, so I will grade him harder than others.

[@mattyghost3409]

Didn't see much in this game from him

[@powerhoursec]

You concerned, Matty?

[@etw4life970]

That's cause the O-line was patches together, only 2 starters. They had trouble protecting him, he was sacked 6 times. Because of that he only threw 19 times and they ran the ball 54 times. When they get the O-line in a good place and he has time he's gonna shine

[@crewthief1431]

@@powerhoursec I’d be surprised if he replies; lots of drive-by haters in Tennessee comments, specifically as it relates to Nico. Make of that what you will…

[@RobinOfOhara]

@@etw4life970Tennessee is a run first offense - if the other team can’t stop the run 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@etw4life970]

@@RobinOfOhara yes they are run first, but it's typically like 55-60% run. They ran it 74% this game cause the pass blocking wasn't great. Nico got sacked 6 times in 25 drop backs.

[@andrewnance2156]

Your voice is hard to handle

[@powerhoursec]

What’s wrong with my Voice?

[@balleraap007]

Lmfao

[@bryanmcleod9346]

The SEC is gonna eat nico every week! Huepel cant develop the oline. Go Dawgs!!

[@tappedin185]

That’s not correct some of those were pruitts guys thankfully they’re leaving and Nico is better than Milton and Beck.

[@modernprofessionals9512]

Scared dawg fan… So obvious 😂

[@bryanmcleod9346]

​@tappedin185 Milton graduated, and Nicole hasn't even played a game in the SEC yet. The only qualifier for you're comment, is that Beck and the DAWGs whipped the Vowels ass again last year!! LOL!! I don't blame you for being Wishful though.

[@modernprofessionals9512]

@@bryanmcleod9346 yap yap (yawn)

[@tappedin185]

@@bryanmcleod9346 yeah except it’s true and the point still stands they were pruitts guys not sure why you’re acting like coaches and recruiting aren’t a big part of how the team performs , anyways I’m glad you enjoyed your 3 years but you’re not a good enough program to keep it up so it’s on its way out already , you’re pointless dribble didn’t tell me anything except that you’re a Georgia fan yikes.

[@Berley_1234]

lol he's gonna get banned or something. cheaters

[@michaelparker5640]

They're going to have to build a good offensive line around him because a couple of good hits and he's gone for the year 🧐 at least he has great field IQ 🥸