The No. 7 Tennessee Volunteers (7-1) look different in the second half against the Mississippi State Bulldogs (2-7), as standout quarterback Nico Iamaleava has unexpectedly left the game with an injury. The Vols held a 20-7 advantage at the start of the third quarter. Iamaleava was anticipated to lead the offense out onto the field to begin the second half, but fifth-year senior Gaston Moore took his spot under center. Later in the ESPN broadcast, Tennessee announced that Iamaleava will miss the rest of the game against Mississippi State due to an upper body injury.
Iamaleava, a redshirt freshman, has started every game this season for the Vols, who are vying for the SEC title and a position in the College Football Playoff. Aside from Saturday night’s game against the Bulldogs, there is cause for concern about Iamaleava’s health next week at No. 3 Georgia. While it is unknown what is wrong with Iamaleava, he did receive a hard knock before the end of the first half. He returned to the field for two more plays before joining Tennessee in the locker room.
If the Vols are to advance to the conference championship game, they must win out. If business is completed this week, Tennessee’s prospects of reaching that game will most certainly be determined by its clash with UGA. Moore has played rarely for Tennessee. According to 247Sports, the former UCF transfer had zero stars from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, in the 2020 recruiting class.
Gaston has two touchdowns and three interceptions in his 12 career appearances against Mississippi State. Iamaleava, a former five-star recruit, has passed for 1,705 yards this season, with nine touchdowns and four interceptions. Iamaleava had completed 8 of 13 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns prior to his departure versus the Bulldogs.
