Josh Heupel explains what he learned about Nico Iamaleava vs. Alabama

After a slow first half on Saturday, Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava came alive in the homestretch to lead the Volunteers to a 24-17 win over Alabama. After the game, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel revealed what the game taught him about Iamaleava.

“Young quarterback. It’s going to continue to get better,” Heupel said. “Guys around him got to help him too. And that means just doing their job at a really high level. But to me, quarterbacks, it’s toughness. It’s mental toughness.

“When it matters the most, how do you perform? And how do you control the game? And there’s a lot of things, just physical, mental toughness that I really liked tonight. Obviously, there’s some things we got to get better at and him too. We’ll keep pushing for that.”

The win over the Crimson Tide was the biggest of Iamaleava’s young career. Alas, the 20-year-old’s inexperience was apparent in the first half. He threw a pivotal interception in the red zone and finished the half with only 99 passing yards.

While Iamaleava didn’t necessarily rack up the yards in the second half either, he played under control and didn’t commit any more turnovers. Following the win, Iamaleava revealed his mindset heading into the second half.

“Next play mentality,” Iamaleava said. “Coach Heup, that’s something he’s always preaches. Man, it’s not going the way we wanted in the first half. And we got to keep battling, keep going strong for our guys. Like I said, I’m glad the way we came out in the second half.”

Iamaleava not only showed mental toughness in the win but physical toughness, as well. After absorbing a brutal hit from Alabama’s Justin Jefferson, Iamaleava briefly exited the game with an injury. Backup QB Gaston Moore replaced Iamaleava and threw an interception on his first play in the game.

Iamaleava’s left hip was reportedly bothering him after the collision but the redshirt freshman pushed through the pain and returned to the game on the next drive. After the win, Nico Iamaleava provided an optimistic update on his injury.

“I was good, man,” Iamaleava said. “I think I needed it. It woke me up a little bit for sure.”

Iamaleava will have time to lick his wounds as Tennessee enjoys a bye week before facing off against Kentucky on Nov. 2.