Tennessee fans voice frustrations with Josh Heupel's decision to pull Nico Iamaleava vs. UConn
Tennessee fans want to see as much from Nico Iamaleava as they can.
The Vols QB made his first appearance since early in the season on Saturday in the Vols’ blowout game against UConn. After a defensive touchdown made Vols fans wait just a bit longer, Iamaleava took the field for Tennessee’s first offensive series of the 2nd half.
The former 5-star prospect played well, too. He immediately led the Vols on a touchdown drive, increasing Tennessee’s lead to 56-3. He looked poised and made some great throws against a dreadful UConn squad.
Something you need to realize is some Tennessee fans have been calling for Iamaleava to play all season over Joe Milton, who has had an average year at the helm of Tennessee’s offense.
So, when HC Josh Heupel made the decision to pull Iamaleava in a blowout against the Huskies after just 2 series in favor of 3rd-string Gaston Moore, you can bet there was some question marks being thrown around on social media.
Check out some of the reaction from Vol fans and media below:
Two drives with Nico? Heupel’s gotta be trolling us.
— Charlie Burris (@Charlie_Burris) November 4, 2023
Unless these are 5 walk on linemen in the game, taking Nico out is ridiculous
— Jon Reed (@Jon__Reed) November 4, 2023
Why go to Gaston Moore in this situation?
These people have stayed here in this blowout for one reason.
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) November 4, 2023
Kinda wish Nico got at least one more drive.
— Chad Fields (Vols Uniform Boy) (@CfieldsVFL) November 4, 2023
Prediction, biggest post game topic after this one from Vol fans:
‘Why did Nico only play two series?’— Rob Lewis (@Volquest_Rob) November 4, 2023
I don’t understand only allowing Nico Iamaleava to play two series.
— Ben McKee (@benmckee14) November 4, 2023
They took Nico out????
— gmannVOLS (@gmannVOLS) November 4, 2023
Nico Iamaleava gets two series an a complete blowout.
Make it make sense.
— Eric Cain (@_Cainer) November 4, 2023
I think Nico should have finished the game. Gaston Moore doesn’t need the work like Nico does. #Vols
— Andy Minton (@andy_minton) November 4, 2023
Really? Nico got two series and then Gaston Moore comes in? Good grief. Is my Reds manager David Bell managing the Big Orange today? Nico won’t see another snap until the 4th quarter against Vandy, if then.
— Scott Bacon (@tnpieconsulting) November 4, 2023
Huepel is gonna put Gaston Moore in so that Nico can’t do something incredible and make the fans call for him to be the starter ?
— Hoyt1313 (@Hoyt1313) November 4, 2023
Why why why why why is Moore in. Nico needs all the reps he can get
— Seth Lenderman (@LendermanSeth) November 4, 2023