Locals in college: Dayne Davis sets the stage for Nico’s opening touchdown; they support Virginia Tech in their Military Bowl triumph.
hen freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava scored his first rushing touchdown for the University of Tennessee Volunteers on Monday on the opening play of the second quarter, Dayne Davis helped pave the way.
A former star at Sullivan East High School, Davis started at right tackle as the Volunteers overpowered Iowa for a 35-0 victory in the Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
Iamaleava rushed for three TDs and also threw a touchdown pass as UT rolled up 383 yards against Iowa’s stout defense.
“It was cool to be out there with Nico when he got his first TD,” Davis said. “Everyone was really happy for him. To be able to open up the hole for him was fun. Just seeing the play develop, the crowd get loud, all of it.”
The 6-foot-7, 325-pound Davis played 63 snaps in what was his third start of the season.
“I didn’t have too good of a first drive,” Davis said. “As an offensive line we had a hold, a false start and then I [allowed] a sack to cap it off. I got rolled up there before the half and had to sit out for doctors to check my ankle out. Luckily, they let me back in there with some added tape for lack of better words.
