22-of-28 for 349 yards; 13 carries for 112 yards; 3 total TDs
Is there any debate about who tops this list? For the second time in three weeks, Hendon Hooker delivered for Tennessee football in a big way. His Heisman campaign should be off and running right now, and with the way he played Saturday, he’s got as great a chance as anybody.
Hooker didn’t make one bad decision. He did lose the ball on a fourth down sack, his first turnover of the season, but that also had to do with poor protection. There were two missed throws as well, including a clear touchdown pass to Jacob Warren. Outside of that, though, his play was perfect, and he still has no interceptions on the year.
Once again, the Vols had to use his legs more because of Florida’s run schemes, and he delivered. Late in the first half, down 14-10, Hooker showed his mental toughness. He had an upper-body injury and begged to go back in the game. The coaches let him. All he did was direct the Vols on a 99-yard touchdown drive at the end of the half to put them up 17-14.
That drive was huge, and it ended with the TD pass to Bru McCoy. On the next drive to open the second half, Hooker had the TD pass to Jabari Small. It’s the second time in three weeks he threw a TD pass immediately after he had a TD run called off due to a holding penalty.
Mental toughness is through the roof with this guy, and Tennessee football really does have a great leader at the position. Hooker was responsible for the Vols’ first three touchdowns, as he ran for their first one, and then he had a 44-yard run with the score 24-21 in the second half to set up another one when he should’ve been sacked. Every time he was needed, he came through.