What Nico Iamaleava said after throwing 4 TDs in No. 7 Tennessee's win at Vanderbilt
NASHVILLE — Everything quarterback Nico Iamaleava said Saturday afternoon after throwing for 257 yards and four touchdowns in No. 7 Tennessee’s 36-23 win over Vanderbilt at FirstBank Stadium:
Throwing for four touchdowns in the win, if that was the most complete game of the year
“I threw a pick, so that it definitely hurt a little bit. And, yeah, man, we’re still striving out there. I still feel like I can do better.”
Tennessee’s 96-yard touchdown drive before the end of the first half, what was working well at that point
“We started off on it was a (4) yard line and we were just looking to go get points whether it’s three or seven. We were really looking for a touchdown and I’m glad we all were able to execute.”
Why Tennessee was able to handle the pressure of the College Football Playoff talk
“I think that’s just Coach Heup, our whole coaching staff and what they preach. Be right here, right now, where your feet are. So I think that’s just from up top, our coaching staff, doing a great job of keeping us with that mindset.”
Tennessee getting down 14-0 in the first quarter, what the mood and talk was like on the sideline
“It sucks to go down 14-0 early in the game. And Coach (Heupel) was just preaching us to settle down. Settle down and we were going to go score points.
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How much he has improved running the offense, where he needs to continue to work
“Just taking control of the offense more. As a young guy I can still do better at that. I think just me having full command of the offense, knowing what our coaches want, knowing what we want on certain plays and certain downs and distances is what I think I’ve been working on.”
Tennessee going to the College Football Playoff
“Great feeling, man. Super happy we were able to secure that spot. And now the real work starts. So it’s go time for us, go time for our team. We know what time it is.”
Chris Brazzell and Mike Matthews stepping up at receiver with injuries at the position
“Not having Bru (McCoy), it was a great opportunity for them to step up and show what they could do. Chris has done that most of the year. Mike coming out his shell as a young guy, still getting the offense down. And yeah, I was super excited to see him make plays, him and Chris both.”
When he got after a Vanderbilt defender after Tennessee’s touchdown late in the first half
“Before the half, man, it was just a little chirping before they half. Yeah, man.
I’m glad we scored.”
Tennessee’s confidence not only to be in the playoff but to win playoff games
“I think we have the most utmost confidence. We will take this team versus anyone. So I think all our team knows that we got what it takes to go out there and compete on the highest level.”
