Tennessee football: Five takeaways from Vols’ 38-14 loss at Florida

Sep 25, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Emory Jones (5) waits for the snap against the Tennessee Volunteers during the first quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Emory Jones (5) waits for the snap against the Tennessee Volunteers during the first quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
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Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) stiff arms Florida Gators linebacker Amari Burney (2) as he tries to escape during the football game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. Sept. 25, 2021.Flgai 092521 Ufvs Tennesseefb 34
Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) stiff arms Florida Gators linebacker Amari Burney (2) as he tries to escape during the football game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. Sept. 25, 2021.Flgai 092521 Ufvs Tennesseefb 34

2. Quarterback situation should be solved.

Hendon Hooker started this game and played all but one drive, the last drive, after he got hurt on a botched flea flicker. Still, Tennessee football should have no more quarterback controversy after the way things played out in this game based on what Hooker was able to prove.

Last week proved that Harrison Bailey should be third-string. This week proved that Hooker should be first-string, and Joe Milton III can come in as second-string if Hooker is hurt. That’s exactly what Milton did late in the game, and he proved why he should be behind Hooker, as he once again overthrew two easy intermediate passes.

Hooker missed that one throw to Jacob Warren. However, he completed 13-of-23 passes for 221 yards, averaging over nine and a half yards an attempt, with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He also had 23 rushing yards on the play.

On just two drives, Milton was more than halfway towards Hooker’s total number of incompletions. He went 2-of-8 with 54 yards, and that was in garbage time. Simply put, Hooker is better, so he should clearly be first-team while Milton is second-team. There is no more quarterback controversy at UT, and that should be the biggest positive.