Why Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava missed Vols' second fall scrimmage; Insider speculates on QB plan if Nico were to miss time

The Tennessee Vols held their second scrimmage of the fall on Thursday morning, but redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava didn't participate.

104.5 The Zone's Will Boling noted on "Ramon, Kayla, and Will" on Friday morning that Iamaleava woke up with a stomach bug, which is why he didn't play in the scrimmage (news that was first reported by VolQuest ).

With Iamaleava sidelined, it meant extended action for backup quarterbacks Gaston Moore, a redshirt senior, and Jake Merklinger, a true freshman.

VolQuest's Brent Hubb joined "Ramon, Kayla, and Will" on Friday and he discussed how the offense operated without Iamaleava.

"They were solid," said Hubbs when asked how the offense performed without Iamaleava. "They weren't the offense you're going to see, obviously, with Nico. But I think what it shows you, and what the belief is based on everybody I talked to, is that Gaston Moore in a pinch can do things, he can finish a game out, he can manage a game for a period of time. If for some reason Nico were out of a game for an injury evaluation, an ankle tape or something to that effect, then I think you feel comfortable with Gaston Moore managing the game.

"I've said it before and I'll say it again, if Nico were out for an extended period of time -- obviously that's not what anybody is thinking about, hoping or wishing or wanting or even crossing their mind -- but if he were, then I think you'd see them play both Gaston Moore and Jake Merklinger. But Gaston Moore's got a command of this offense. He understands the offense. He took care of the football yesterday (during the scrimmage). Made a couple of plays to Dont'e Thornton, moved the ball some, and I think it was an OK day for the offense."

Hubbs also noted that Iamaleava's unexpected absence from the scrimmage was probably good for Tennessee's coaches in that it simulated a potential game day situation.

"I will say this -- it wasn't scheduled or planned, but it probably wasn't the worst thing that you wake up on game day, so to speak, and find out you're down a starter and you've got to immediately adjust," said Hubbs. "That's what happened offensively yesterday. Which, when you're talking about game situations, there's another game situation for coaches."

It wasn't completely ideal that Iamaleava missed the scrimmage on Thursday, but there are at least a few positives that came from it. For starters, Nico is fine and isn't in danger of missing time because of his stomach bug. And secondly, it helped Tennessee's coaching staff become even more prepared for unexpected situations that could arise over the course of the season.

Related: Comments from a former Tennessee Vols defender who transferred earlier in the offseason raise some eyebrows