Iowa vs. Tennessee Short Report | Jan 1, 2024
Camping World Stadium
Orlando, FL
Jan 1, 2024
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Game Recap
The Tennessee Volunteers displayed an exceptional performance to achieve a dominant 35-0 victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, held at Camping World Stadium in front of 43,861 spectators. Freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava excelled in his first career start, rushing for three touchdowns and throwing for another, leading a balanced offensive attack for Tennessee. Dylan Sampson bolstered the offensive prowess with 133 rushing yards, while the Vols' stringent defense shut down the Iowa offense, allowing only 173 total yards and forcing three turnovers.
James Pearce Jr.'s impressive 52-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter capped a noteworthy defensive performance, which included five sacks and holding Iowa to a meager 2.8 yards per play. Iowa's struggles were epitomized by two interceptions thrown by quarterback Deacon Hill and their inability to cross midfield for most of the game. This victory marked Tennessee's largest bowl game shutout win since 1957, and their highest margin of victory in a bowl since the 2016 Outback Bowl.
Key Plays:
Nico Iamaleava (Tennessee Volunteers)
Nico Iamaleava broke the deadlock at the start of the second quarter with a 19-yard rushing touchdown, capping a 7-play, 73-yard drive. This set the tone for Tennessee's offensive dominance.
Nico Iamaleava (Tennessee Volunteers)
Nico Iamaleava extended Tennessee's lead to 14-0 with a 3-yard touchdown run, punctuating an 11-play, 68-yard drive and showcasing his dual-threat capability.
Nico Iamaleava (Tennessee Volunteers)
Following a strip-sack recovery deep in Iowa territory, Iamaleava's 2-yard touchdown run on the second play of the possession emphasized Tennessee's control over the game.
James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee Volunteers)
James Pearce Jr. intercepted Deacon Hill and returned it 52 yards for a touchdown, solidifying Tennessee's lead and marking the Volunteers' fourth pick-six of the season.
Nico Iamaleava (Tennessee Volunteers)
Nico Iamaleava connected with McCallan Castles for an 18-yard touchdown pass, capping an 8-play, 78-yard drive and sealing a dominant performance for Tennessee.
Standout Players:
Nico Iamaleava (Tennessee Volunteers, QB)
Nico Iamaleava shined in his first career start, amassing 151 passing yards on 12-of-19 completions, throwing one touchdown pass, and rushing for three more. His dual-threat performance earned him the Citrus Bowl MVP.
James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee Volunteers, DL)
James Pearce Jr. made significant defensive contributions, including a 52-yard pick-six and a crucial strip-sack, finishing with four tackles, 1.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.
Dylan Sampson (Tennessee Volunteers, RB)
Dylan Sampson dominated the ground game, rushing for 133 yards on 20 attempts against a stout Iowa defense, showcasing his potential as a consistent lead back.
Jay Higgins (Iowa Hawkeyes, LB)
Jay Higgins was a bright spot for Iowa, leading the team with 14 solo tackles, providing steadfast defense despite the team's overall struggles.
Joe Evans (Iowa Hawkeyes, DE)
Joe Evans stood out defensively for Iowa, recording four sacks and continuously pressuring the Tennessee offense throughout the game.
References:
Highlights: Tennessee Volunteers 35-0 Iowa Hawkeyes in 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl | January 1, 2024 - VAVEL USA
Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Tennessee Volunteers Live Score and Stats - January 1, 2024 Gametracker - CBSSports.com
NCAAF Betting Odds, Spreads & Lines
Tennessee beats Iowa 35-0 in Citrus Bowl win. Vols’ freshman QB Nico Iamaleava accounted for all four of UT touchdowns, while UT’s defense held the Hawkeyes to just 173 yards and three turnovers - Rocky Top Talk
Tennessee beats Iowa 35-0 in Citrus Bowl win. Vols’ freshman QB Nico Iamaleava accounted for all four of UT touchdowns, while UT’s defense held the Hawkeyes to just 173 yards and three turnovers - Rocky Top Talk
Tennessee Football: Top five Vols performers in Citrus Bowl win vs. Iowa
Nico Iamaleava gives Tennessee Vols a bright outlook for 2024 and beyond - Rocky Top Talk
Archives - Page 15 - Rocky Top Talk
Tennessee Football: Young Players Give Peek to 2024 Season
Top 25 Games of the Caitlin Clark Era | Page 2 | HawkeyeNation.com Forum
Team
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Iowa Hawkeyes
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Tennessee Volunteers
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14
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35
