After Georgia’s commanding 31-17 win over Tennessee, Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart delivered a heartfelt tribute to Vols quarterback Nico Iamaleava, praising his resilience and skill despite a difficult week leading up to the game.
Iamaleava, who was cleared to play just 24 hours before the matchup following a head injury, demonstrated his toughness by accounting for nearly 200 yards of total offense against the Bulldogs in a hostile environment. Smart noted, “It’s hard to get him down… He’s a tough competitor with great quickness and vision. He’s a really talented quarterback with a bright future.”
“That guy’s a tough competitor now. I got a lot of respect for him to go through what he went through this week…he’s a really talented quarterback with a bright future.” — Kirby Smart on Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava pic.twitter.com/nYGv6aqQjN
— zach ragan (@zachTNT) November 17, 2024
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel echoed the sentiment, calling Iamaleava a “warrior” and emphasizing his leadership qualities. Heupel also praised Iamaleava’s performance, noting areas for improvement but highlighting the young quarterback’s potential and leadership.
