Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava’s helmet was shattered on the Vols’ first drive from Ohio State University

(This story has been updated to add new information).

Nico Iamaleava’s helmet cracked on Tennessee football’s first-ever drive in the College Football Playoff first-round game at Ohio State.

While catching a third-down pass against the Buckeyes’ defense, Iamaleava attempted to rush out of the pocket but was hit by the Buckeyes’ Cody Simons, the helmet taking the brunt of the hit on his 1-yard rush. After Iamaleava left the field, cameras showed a large crack on the right side of Iamaleava’s helmet above the Tennessee block “T.”

ESPN sideline reporter Marty Smith reported before the Vols’ second drive that Simon’s hit caused a six-inch crack in Iamaleava’s helmet and that the Tennessee rookie QB had a new helmet for the second drive.

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“It was a huge success,” Smith said. “In fact, it left a 15cm crack on Nico Iamaleava’s helmet. He now has a new helmet. Tennessee’s equipment team worked hard last time to prepare for the new helmet. They and the equipment staff just told me it was very similar to what happened with Patrick Mahomes’ helmet in Kansas City a few weeks ago.”

Tennessee’s first drive ended with a three-and-out and Iamaleava was sacked on the second play of the second drive, which also led to a three-and-out and another punt.

Iamaleava switched to a VICIS helmet before the Georgia game on November 16 after suffering a concussion in the home game against Mississippi State a week earlier.

This article originally appeared on the Knoxville News Sentinel: Look: Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava’s helmet cracked against Ohio State