Tennessee football’s 3 tri-stars of the week

Tennessee football opened its 2024 season with a 69-3 win over Chattanooga. The Vols dominated every phase of the game for all 60 minutes and didn't let up to allow Chatt to gain any momentum or go on a run. The offense put on an elite performance, and the defense shut down virtually everything the Mocs had to offer. 

The Vols dedicated its Week One game to the Volunteer State. They donned the new smokey grey uniforms with "Tennessee" in bold across the chest and the Tennessee tri-star logo on the sleeves, which is why I want to recognize three stars, or tri-stars, of the season opener. 

Consider it like a "game ball" or the three stars of the game in hockey. It's a way to recognize any Tennessee player who put together a game worth recognition. It might be players with highlight-worthy plays or performances that go largely unnoticed. Let's take a look at Tennessee's "tri-stars" of Week One. 

Tri-Star 1: Nico Iamaleava

The most obvious star of Week One is redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava. He's been hyped up since arriving on campus, and he lived up to the hype in Tennessee's Week One win. He completed 22-of-28 pass attempts for 314 yards and three touchdowns. 

That set a program record for most passing yards in a single half by any Tennessee quarterback. Any time a player sets a program record, they likely deserve some recognition, so Nico makes the inaugural "Tri-Stars" of the Week. 

Tri-Star 2: Jordan Ross

Jordan Ross earned Special Teams Player of the Week honors and a spot as a Tri-Star of the Week. He finished Week One with one tackle, one tackle for a loss, one blocked punt, and one touchdown. Not a bad day for a Freshman defensive lineman. 

Ross' blocked punt put the final scoops of dirt on the coffin that was nailed shut in the first half by Nico and company and buried in the second half by the Vols reserves. 

Tennessee was up by 59 points, so Ross could have taken the playoff or not made the extra effort to block the punt and return it for a touchdown, but he gave his all and made a highlight play in the first game of his college football career. 

Tri-Star 3: Offensive Line

The final Tri-Star goes to the offensive line. Tennessee's front five did a great job keeping pressure off Nico and the other quarterbacks while opening running lanes for Dylan Sampson and the running backs. 

The big guys up front don't often receive the recognition they deserve, so I want to start the season by recognizing the guys who don't always get their names in the newspaper, especially after Nico's big performance. 

Tennessee is making final preparations for its Week Two matchup, which features a ranked non-conference game against North Carolina State. The Vols and Wolfpack are scheduled to kick off at 7:30 PM ET on ABC.