Nico Iamaleava finally playing with confidence in first half vs Vanderbilt

Tennessee football got off to one of the worst starts possible against Vanderbilt. The Commodores jumped out to a quick 14-point lead, forcing Tennessee's back against the wall in a do-or-die game with the Vols' College Football Playoff lives on the line. 

Since the slow start, Nico Iamaleava has stepped up and taken over the game. The Vols needed Nico to get them back into the game after a kickoff return for a touchdown and an opening drive fumble. 

Nico did just that, throwing for three first-half touchdowns, the most in any SEC game this season. He is 10-for-14 with 201 yards and three touchdowns in the first half, taking over this game where Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia was getting most of the attention coming into it. 

Tennessee has leaned on senior receiver Dont'e Thornton in the first half. Thornton has two touchdowns so far. He came into the Vanderbilt game with four touchdowns all season, so the Nico-Thornton connection is heating up at just the right time.

Nico has made a couple of these throws throughout the season, but they haven't been common throughout conference play. 

Tennessee's offense has leaned on Dylan Sampson and the run game throughout the season, but the offense has put the ball in Nico's hand in the first half after an opening drive fumble from Sampson. 

Nico is 113 passing yards away from tying his career record, which is 314 passing yards against Chattanooga. He's also one touchdown shy from tying his personal mark with four passing touchdowns. 

The Vols are in full control against Vanderbilt and have one half to continue building its momentum and run away from Vanderbilt in a game that could determine their opportunity to compete for a national championship in the 12-team College Football Playoff.