Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava is not expected to return for the remainder of Saturday’s game against Mississippi State after suffering a sudden injury, according to ESPN.

Iamaleava was noticeably absent from the field when the Vols returned to start the second half and it was revealed that the quarterback is dealing with an upper body ailment.

Iamaleava completed 8 of 13 passes for 174 yards and 2 touchdowns while playing the entire first half of the game, so it is unclear exactly when he suffered the injury.

He came into the game with 1,705 passing yards on the season and completed 65.4 percent of his throws with 9 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.

Gaston Moore entered the game for Tennessee in place of the injured Iamaleava.

Moore, a fifth-year senior, has seen limited action during his career with the Vols, playing in 12 total games with 235 passing yards and 2 touchdowns against 3 interceptions.

Tennessee opened a 30-14 lead against Mississippi State in the third quarter when running back Dylan Sampson ran for a 33-yard touchdown.

Sampson was listed as questionable to return in the second half, but returned to action and accounted for 54 of the 75 yards Tennessee gained on that scoring drive.

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