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Tennessee football’s top five performers in 34-27 OT win at Pitt

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 10, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) runs after a catch against Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman John Morgan III (6) during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Tennessee won 34-27 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) runs after a catch against Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman John Morgan III (6) during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Tennessee won 34-27 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) throws a pass during the first half of a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Pittsburgh Panthers in Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022.Tennpitt0910 01029
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) throws a pass during the first half of a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Pittsburgh Panthers in Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022.Tennpitt0910 01029 /

Hendon Hooker. player. 839. Quarterback. r-Senior. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 2

27-of-42 for 325 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INT; 15 carries for 27 yards

He was sloppy in the first quarter, and he missed at least two easy touchdown passes. However, you can’t ignore Hendon Hooker’s performance. In addition to throwing for over 300 yards and two touchdowns, Hooker had no turnovers. His total QBR was 82.5. Simply put, he did exactly what Tennessee football needed him to do in this one.

What really stood out about Hooker was how he fought for his rushing yards. Pitt was loading up the middle to stop the running backs, which Josh Heupel and Alex Golesh usually rely on to make their offense go. As a result, they called lots of read plays for Hooker to keep it.

Most of those worked. Hooker was still sacked three times, but Pitt has an elite pass rush, and none of those sacks were due to him holding the ball too long. In fact, he used his mobility to get out of probably three more sacks, so you actually have to give him credit for that.

Then there is his clutch play. Hooker had a touchdown run in overtime that was called back due to a holding. He responded by just throwing a 28-yard touchdown pass. Unlike Heupel’s usual offenses, Hooker had to carve up the defense a bit more than this game rather than rely on big plays. He did that just fine.

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