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Tennessee football: Top five performers in Vols’ 48-45 OT loss to Purdue

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee linebacker Jeremy Banks (33) at the 2021 Music City Bowl NCAA college football game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.Kns Tennessee Purdue
Tennessee linebacker Jeremy Banks (33) at the 2021 Music City Bowl NCAA college football game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.Kns Tennessee Purdue /
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Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) throws during the second quarter of the Music City Bowl, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, at Nissan Stadium in NashvilleCfb Music City Bowl Purdue Vs Tennessee
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) throws during the second quarter of the Music City Bowl, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, at Nissan Stadium in NashvilleCfb Music City Bowl Purdue Vs Tennessee /

Quarterback. Hendon Hooker. 1. player. Scouting Report. 839. Pick Analysis. Senior

26-of-41, 378 yards 5 TDs; 19 carries, 59 yards

In a close shootout, Hendon Hooker finally proved he’s got guts and the clutch gene. Even if Tennessee football wasn’t able to pull out this game, no reasonable person watching it could blame what happened on Hooker. Nothing was his fault.

Beyond just throwing for five touchdowns and gaining over 400 yards of offense, we should note that Hooker did not throw an interception. Okay, he did have a fumble, but that was the fault of the protection, as he was hit from behind trying to make a throw. You can never blame that on the quarterback, so Hooker is off the hook there.

The guy once again had a dominant first quarter, and he’s the reason two receivers are on this list. In overtime, though, Hooker had the most vintage play. On 4th and 1, he dropped back to pass and was nearly sacked. He avoided the tackle and ran down the sideline, reaching for the first down.

Next. Five takeaways from Vols' 48-45 OT loss to Purdue. dark

That was nullified by the non-touchdown call on Jaylen Wright that same drive, but you can’t blame Hooker for how that ended up. Tennessee football is lucky to have Hooker and Tillman coming back. Both players have guts and are clutch, and they did everything within their power to win this game Thursday.

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