A number of the same issues that plagued Tennessee football's offense during its poor first four appearances in SEC play continued in the 28-18 victory over Kentucky.

But after shaky performances to open conference play, redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava built off his strong second half against Alabama by playing the best game of his young career against Kentucky.

“He had a great night, man,” Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said after the game. “Played a lot of really good football.”

Iamaleava completed 28 of 38 pass attempts for 292 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions against Kentucky, but the numbers could have been significantly better.

Chris Brazzell dropped a 48-yard touchdown in the first half and Chas Nimrod dropped perhaps the best ball of the night for Iamaleava on a cross route. Instead of a 68-yard touchdown, Tennessee only had one of its two three-pointers and a punt on the night.

When Brazzell and Nimrod make two plays they should have made, Iamaleava throws for over 400 yards and three touchdowns.

The stats, or potential stats, only tell part of the story of Iamaleava against Kentucky. Tennessee's redshirt freshman quarterback made big throws and big plays all night long. He connected with Nimrod to move the sticks on an out route from the distant hash and made a nice throw to the well-defended Dont'e Thornton on a crucial third down in the fourth quarter.

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Iamaleava made the spectacular plays we've seen throughout the season at critical moments in the game. But he did it while dominating the offense and only having one turnover-worthy play. The talented underclassmen had only shown this throughout a whole game on Saturday evening in his young career.

“I thought he played with great confidence and great composure,” Heupel said. “Making plays as they presented themselves. It was close with some deep balls on the football field. Close, man. I thought he saw things really well. So all in all, really, really good leadership and presence from him over the course of the night.”

Iamaleava didn't run the ball much against Kentucky, but he had a few really important runs. On Tennessee's first touchdown drive of the night, he went for a fourth down conversion and later escaped the pocket when it collapsed to move the sticks.

Tennessee is far from perfect and didn't seamlessly turn a strong second half against Alabama into a strong game against Kentucky. But Iamaleava turned his best half of the season into his best game of the season next time out.

“He is a young player who is getting better with every play,” Heupel said after the game. “You heard me say that before the season. But his competitive frame and ability to make plays make him a good decision-maker there. … Good news for him and for us, his best football is still ahead of him.”

In a year with so few great college football teams, it's hard to estimate what the ceiling will be for the struggling Tennessee team. But Iamaleava's improvement coupled with the Vols' defense is cause for excitement.