Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel spoke with the media on Monday, saying he felt that quarterback Nico Iamaleava could be in “nice form for Saturday” because the Volunteers put together for a highway journey to tackle Georgia.
Iamaleava suffered a head harm in the course of the crew’s Week 11 win over Mississippi State. He didn’t return for the second half of the sport after being evaluated for concussion-like signs.
The harm comes at an inopportune time for Tennessee. The Volunteers not solely face a highway take a look at at Georgia, however are coming off their finest first half efficiency in a convention recreation all season.
Previous to Iamaleava exiting the sport, he had thrown for 174 yards and two touchdowns within the first half. In his 5 earlier convention begins, Iamaleava struggled with gradual begins and an inefficiency throwing the ball. He has posted a completion share of 70% or higher solely as soon as in his six SEC begins whole.
An general subject for Tennessee has been defending the quarterback. Whereas Iamaleava was not sacked on Saturday evening, he has been sacked at the least 3 times in 4 video games this season. If Iamaleava is ready to play, he has supplied a glimpse of how efficient he may be throwing the ball when he has time to function.
With each groups in rivalry to make the expanded 12-team Faculty Soccer Playoff, Saturday’s assembly between Tennessee and Georgia carries quite a lot of significance. Whereas a loss wouldn’t completely get rid of Tennessee (8-1, 5-1 SEC) from the playoff, it may very well be laborious to beat. Georgia is available in with a 7-2 report, however winners of seven in a row towards the Volunteers.
Having their quarterback on the sphere Saturday evening is essential for Tennessee in the event that they need to finish their dropping streak to Georgia and improve their possibilities of making the playoff.
