Citrus Bowl – Page 4 – Syndication Server

Dylan Sampson set to make first career start in Citrus Bowl

Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson set to make first career start in the Citrus Bowl.

Tennessee sophomore running back Dylan Sampson is projected to start in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl versus Iowa on Jan. 1, 2024.

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound running back appeared in 11 games for Tennessee during the 2023 regular-season. He recorded 471 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 86 attempts, while totaling 17 receptions for 175 yards and one touchdown.

“You know, I’m just blessed,” Sampson said of making his first start. “It’s time to go to work. It has been something I’ve been preparing for my whole time that I’ve been here, so I’m ready to go to work. Mindset has been the same, just be dominant. Go out there and show them who I am.”

Watch: Dylan Sampson previews 2024 Citrus Bowl

Everything Nico Iamaleava said previewing his first start in Citrus Bowl

Everything Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava said previewing his first start in the Citrus Bowl.

Tennessee freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava will make his first career start against Iowa in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1, 2024.

Kickoff between the Vols and Hawkeyes is slated for 1 p.m. EST at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. Dave Fleming (play-by-play), Brock Osweiler (analyst) and Kayla Burton (sideline) will be on the call.

The 6-foot-6, 206-pound freshman signal-caller appeared in four games for Tennessee during the 2023 regular-season.

Iamaleava completed 16-of-26 passing attempts for 163 yards and one touchdown. He also recorded 44 rushing yards on five attempts.

Watch: Nico Iamaleava discusses making first start at Tennessee

Iamaleava met with media following Tennessee’s practice on Thursday. Everything Iamaleava said is listed below.

Watch: Dylan Sampson previews 2024 Citrus Bowl

Watch: Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson previews the 2024 Citrus Bowl

Tennessee sophomore running back Dylan Sampson is projected to start in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl versus Iowa on Jan. 1, 2024.

READ: Tennessee-Iowa Citrus Bowl transfer portal and opt-outs tracker

Sampson met with media following the Vols’ practice on Thursday. His media availability can be watched below.

Watch: Nico Iamaleava discusses making first start at Tennessee

Tennessee freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava will make his first career start in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl versus Iowa.

“He’s smart, he’s competitive,” Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said of Iamaleava ahead of the bowl game. “When he makes a mistake, young players always do that, he continues to learn and grow from it and does not repeat it. He’s got the ability to reset from play to play, day to day. Extremely talented young man, but I love the way he works inside of our building, and he has a great demeanor about him. He’s great at communicating with his teammates, as well.”

The 6-foot-6, 206-pound freshman signal-caller appeared in four games for Tennessee during the 2023 regular-season.

Iamaleava completed 16-of-26 passing attempts for 163 yards and one touchdown. He also recorded 44 rushing yards on five attempts.

Iamaleava met with media after Tennessee’s practice on Thursday. His media availability can be watched below.

Ramel Keyton, Dylan Sampson sign NIL deals with Cheez-It ahead of Citrus Bowl

Ramel Keyton and Dylan Sampson sign NIL deals with Cheez-It ahead of the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.

Tennessee senior wide receiver Ramel Keyton and sophomore running back Dylan Sampson have signed a name, image and likeness deal with Cheez-It for the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.

Tennessee (8-4, 4-4 SEC) will play Iowa (10-3, 7-2 Big Ten) in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1, 2024 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

Cheez-It press release:

The contract perks? An absurd, Cheez-It-ified makeover:

As an extension of the Cheez-It Flexin’ Section – a first-of-its-kind barbershop and spa-inspired experience right on the field, NIL player partners will have exclusive access to a players-only Cheez-It Flexin’Section, complete with their own bowl game barbershop staffed by all-star athlete barber Kenny Duncan for fresh, absurdly cheezy ‘cutz’ before the game—and of course an unlimited supply of Cheez-It.

Ramel Keyton. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Dylan Sampson. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Josh Heupel reflects on returning to Orlando

Josh Heupel reflects on returning to UCF in Orlando.

Josh Heupel served as UCF’s head coach from 2018-20.

He compiled a 28-8 record and won the American Athletic Conference championship in 2018.

Tennessee practiced at UCF on Wednesday in preparation for the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida versus Iowa.

Heupel discussed being back in Orlando and practicing at UCF where he previously coached.

“A lot of our staff, too, was here as well,” Heupel said. “Their administration has been great hosting us this week. A lot of great memories. Middle part of the week we’ve got a night where a bunch of former players are coming over to the hotel, and it will be awesome just to catch up with those guys.”

Joe Milton will be on Tennessee’s sideline for Citrus Bowl

Joe Milton will be on Tennessee’s sideline for the Citrus Bowl.

Tennessee redshirt senior quarterback Joe Milton III opted out of the 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.

He will begin preparing for the NFL draft.

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said Milton III will be on the sideline for the Vols’ matchup versus Iowa on Jan. 1, 2024.

“Vol nation — first, I want to thank God for blessing me with the talent and ability to play this game we love so much,” Milton said. “Throughout my years here at Tennessee, I’ve learned a lot. Becoming a man was the best part. Every day came down to giving my all for Tennessee. Grinding day-in, day-out with my brothers was odee litttt! I love y’all boys. Mane I’ll always have y’all boys back no matter what, and I look forward to supporting y’all all week in Orlando.

“To all my coaches, thanks for helping me become a better player every day, and to coach Heup (Josh Heupel), coach (Joey) Halzle and coach Mitch (Mitch Militello), thank you for helping me become an even better man. Respect. Playing inside club Neyland and especially running through the T, I’m going to miss it all. Playing in the NFL has always been my dream since I was four years old. Now it’s time to turn those dreams into reality as I begin preparing for the 2024 NFL draft. Thanks Vol nation for everything. JoJo out.”

A look back at Tennessee’s victory against Michigan in 2002 Citrus Bowl

A look back at Tennessee’s victory against Michigan in the 2002 Citrus Bowl.

No. 23 Tennessee (8-4, 4-4 SEC) will play No. 17 Iowa (10-3, 7-2 Big 10) in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1, 2024 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. EST and ABC will televise the postseason matchup.

Tennessee will make its sixth appearance in the Citrus Bowl. Tennessee is 4-1 in Citrus Bowl contests.

The Vols last played in the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1, 2002, defeating Michigan, 45-17. Tennessee finished the season 12-2 (7-1 SEC).

Tennessee led, 24-10, at halftime, after opening a 10-0 lead in the first quarter.

Tennessee quarterback Casey Clausen was the game’s MVP as he completed 26-of-35 passing attempts for 303 yards and three touchdowns. He also recorded two rushing touchdowns.

Donte’ Stallworth led the Vols in rushing yards (44). Travis Stephens recorded 38 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown for Tennessee.

Jason Witten recorded six receptions for 125 yards and one touchdown, while Kelley Washington finished with two touchdown receptions for the Vols.

PHOTOS: Tennessee defeats Michigan in 2002 Citrus Bowl

Josh Heupel breaks down Nico Iamaleava starting in Citrus Bowl

Josh Heupel breaks down Nico Iamaleava starting for Tennessee in the Citrus Bowl.

Tennessee (8-4, 4-4 SEC) will conclude its 2023 season versus Iowa (10-3, 7-2 Big Ten) in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1, 2024.

Kickoff between the Vols and Hawkeyes is slated for 1 p.m. EST and ABC will televise the bowl matchup at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

Tennessee redshirt senior quarterback Joe Milton III opted out of the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl and will begin preparing for the NFL draft.

Freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava will make his first collegiate start for Tennessee in the contest versus Iowa.

The 6-foot-6, 206-pound signal-caller appeared in four games for Tennessee during the 2023 regular-season.

Iamaleava completed 16-of-26 passing attempts for 163 yards and one touchdown. He also recorded 44 rushing yards on five attempts.

Third-year head coach Josh Heupel met with media following the Vols’ first practice in Orlando on Wednesday. Below is everything Heupel said about Iamaleava starting for Tennessee.

Nico Iamaleava to become fourth Vols’ true freshman quarterback to start bowl game

Nico Iamaleava to become fourth Tennessee quarterback to start a bowl game as a true freshman.

Freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava will make his first collegiate start for Tennessee in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl versus Iowa.

He will become the fourth true freshman quarterback to start a bowl game for Tennessee in program history, joining Tyler Bray (2010 Music City Bowl versus North Carolina), Casey Clausen (2001 Cotton Bowl versus Kansas State) and Peyton Manning (1994 Gator Bowl versus Virginia Tech).

Iamaleava will also become the first true freshman quarterback to start a game for Tennessee since Harrison Bailey in 2020.

Kickoff between Tennessee and Iowa on Jan. 1, 2024 is slated for 1 p.m. EST at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

PHOTOS: Tennessee starting quarterbacks through the years

READ: Tennessee-Iowa Citrus Bowl transfer portal and opt-outs tracker