Tennessee’s struggles against Ohio State continued as injuries to key players and a slow start plagued the Volunteers in their recent matchup. Despite a spirited effort from freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava, the Volunteers fell short in a game that saw Ohio State dominate early and hold off a late rally.

The Volunteers’ offensive rhythm was disrupted early, with wide receivers Squirrel White and Dont’e Thompson both exiting in the first half due to injuries. These losses compounded the challenges for Iamaleava, who didn’t complete his first pass until nearly five minutes into the second quarter. Tennessee’s opening drives ended in punts, and they quickly found themselves trailing 21-0 less than 12 minutes into the game.

Ohio State capitalized on an early mistake from Tennessee’s defense. After a third-down sack of Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard appeared to end their first series, a facemask penalty on defensive lineman Bryson Eason kept the drive alive. Howard took advantage, connecting with Jeremiah Smith for a 37-yard touchdown that set the tone for the game.

“We struggled in protection early in the game,” said Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel. “I thought Nico did a good job with his feet throughout the course of it making some plays. We didn’t separate at times, and it was a combination of a lot of different things.”

Iamaleava showed flashes of his potential, particularly with his mobility. The young quarterback capped off a 2-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter to bring the score to 21-10, providing a glimmer of hope for the Volunteers. However, the offensive struggles persisted. Tennessee failed to score again until 1:56 remained in the fourth quarter, when Iamaleava recorded another 2-yard touchdown run. By then, the deficit was too great to overcome.

Ohio State’s defense deserves credit for stifling Tennessee’s passing game. Without his top receivers, Iamaleava was forced to rely on shorter, less impactful plays. His ability to improvise kept some drives alive, but the lack of separation from the remaining receiving corps limited the offense’s ability to sustain momentum.

The Buckeyes, on the other hand, displayed balance and efficiency on offense. Howard’s early touchdown pass to Smith set the stage, and they continued to exploit mismatches throughout the game. Tennessee’s defense, which showed promise at times, couldn’t overcome critical mistakes that extended Ohio State’s drives and led to scores.

Tennessee’s final touchdown provided a morale boost but highlighted the team’s inability to find consistency throughout the game. Injuries, penalties, and execution issues all played a role in the Volunteers’ struggles.

Looking ahead, Tennessee will need to regroup and address both the health of its key players and its early-game performance issues. For Iamaleava, the experience gained in facing a high-caliber opponent like Ohio State could prove invaluable as he continues to develop as the leader of the offense.

Ohio State’s victory reinforces their position as one of the top teams in the nation, while Tennessee is left to reflect on missed opportunities and areas for improvement. Despite the loss, the Volunteers showed resilience and will look to bounce back in their upcoming games.