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Tennessee football: Top 10 games in 2021 by Vols returning for 2022

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) hands thee ball off to Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) during the 2021 TransPerfect Music City Bowl between Tennessee and Purdue at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.Bowl Cm 1230 12
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) hands thee ball off to Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) during the 2021 TransPerfect Music City Bowl between Tennessee and Purdue at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.Bowl Cm 1230 12 /
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Oct 2, 2021; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) runs against Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Isaiah McGuire (9) during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2021; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) runs against Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Isaiah McGuire (9) during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

7. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Hendon Hooker. 839. Quarterback. Missouri

15-of-19 for 225 yards, 3 TDs; 15 carries for 80 yards, 1 TD

This was the breakout performance for Hendon Hooker. It actually carried over two weeks, as the next week against the South Carolina Gamecocks, he went 17-of-23 for 225 yards again to go along with 20 carries for 66 yards and four total touchdowns. However, it all began on this day at the Missouri Tigers.

Tennessee football entered the matchup 2-2 with losses to the Pittsburgh Panthers and Florida Gators. Joe Milton III and Hooker were each 1-1, and since Milton started the season and only lost the job due to an injury against Pitt, there were questions about who Josh Heupel would start.

Heupel decided to stick with Hooker despite him getting hurt at Florida. The move was the right one. Hooker led the Vols to a 28-3 first quarter lead, touchdowns on their first five possessions and scores on their first seven possessions. Hooker completed his first eight passes.

Yes, he had help from Tiyon Evans, who scored three touchdowns in the first quarter, had a 92-yard run and finished with 15 carries for 156 yards. However, Hooker did his part, throwing scores to Velus Jones Jr., JaVonta Payton and Cedric Tillman. This game was the coming-out party for Hooker and Tennessee football in general under Heupel.

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