Tennessee football quarterback Nico Iamaleava has been named the 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl MVP for his four-touchdown performance in Tennessee’s 35-0 win over Iowa.
A smiling head coach, a Citrus Bowl MVP, and a non-edible mascot. pic.twitter.com/6srW2cRk3Q
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) January 1, 2024
Iamaleava’s performance is all the more impressive considering it was his first career start. While it wasn’t a flawless day, Iamaleava played really well against one of the toughest defenses in all of college football, as Iowa was third in scoring defense in the FBS this season.
Three of Iamaleava’s four touchdowns came on the ground, tying a Tennessee bowl record for most rushing scores by a Vol in a bowl game.
Nico Iamaleava’s three rushing touchdowns in @Vol_Football‘s 35-0 victory over Iowa in the @CitrusBowl are tied for the most ever by a Vol in a bowl game.
Josh Dobbs (2016 Music City Bowl) and James Stewart (1994 Gator Bowl) also had three rushing scores. pic.twitter.com/OCE6Jf0WwL
— Tennessee Stats & Info (@Vol_Stats) January 1, 2024
More From RTI: ‘The Chosen One’: Hendon Hooker Praises Nico Iamaleava’s Performance Against Iowa
In total, Iamaleava completed 12 of 19 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown along with 27 rushing yards and the three scores on 15 carries.
Iamaleava became the first Tennessee freshman quarterback in history to rush for multiple scores in a game, as well.
During the trophy ceremony following the game in which Iamaleava was awarded game MVP, Iamaleava had a message for what’s to come for Tennessee football.
Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava wins the Citrus Bowl MVP belt
What’s next?
“We’re trying to win a National Championship” -Iamaleava pic.twitter.com/Zkm5dmJ3Wn
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) January 1, 2024
No matter what happened on New Year’s Day, Iamaleava’s performance was going to be talked about for the next eight months, good or bad. Now, all that talk will be filled with excitement for what’s to come in 2024 after Iamaleava’s record-breaking performance in the shutout victory.
