Quarterback Nico Iamaleava is probably wondering if he should’ve stayed with the Tennessee Volunteers after a rough Week 1 debut with the UCLA Bruins.
Iamaleava transferred to UCLA in April after reportedly holding out of spring practice over an NIL (name, image and likeness) dispute. Reports indicated he was seeking a $4M deal, despite already having a $2.4M deal.
Money wasn’t the only factor. Iamaleava’s father was reportedly concerned the Volunteers weren’t surrounding the QB with a strong receiving corps and offensive line. His supporting cast at UCLA, however, looks no better.
The Bruins rushed for 84 yards on 28 carries in Saturday’s 43-10 Week 1 home loss to the Utah Utes.
Without a strong run game, the 20-year-old passer flopped. He went 11-of-22 passing for 136 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Iamaleava also took four sacks.
“We got punched in the mouth,” the QB said in a postgame news conference.
Meanwhile, Iamaleava’s replacement, Joey Aguilar, looked sharp during a 45-26 thrashing of the Syracuse Orange. The Appalachian State transfer completed 16-of-28 passes for 247 yards and three TDs, including a 73-yarder to wide receiver Braylon Staley.
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