Hooker throws three TDs, leads Tennessee past South Carolina.
Tennessee
Getting the players to believe is an important part of a college football program’s development.
Tennessee’s past two Southeastern Conference wins have been crucial to first-year coach Josh Heupel’s team’s growth.
The Volunteers (4-2, 2-1) defeated South Carolina 45-20. (3-3, 0-3) They scored more than 40 points in back-to-back SEC games for the first time since 2016 (including a 62-24 victory over Missouri last week).
Heupel said, “Our men care for each other.” “They’re arrogant; they’re developing excellent habits.” A victory like this, as I said last week, helps with buy-in. The results will come if the players buy into the approach.”
Hendon Hooker, the quarterback, has been a major part of the buy-in. The Virginia Tech transfer passed for 225 yards and three touchdowns while also scoring on the ground. He is currently 3-1 as a starter.
Tryon Evans, the Vols’ running back, ran for 119 yards and a score before departing with an injury halfway through the third quarter. Before the Gamecocks attempted a comeback, Tennessee led 35-0 late in the first half.
“Hendon continues to develop into a full grasp of the run game, pass game, and football care,” Heupel said. “The players that surround him have reacted well.”
Jalin Hyatt, JaVonta Payton, and Velus Jones each caught three-yard, 39-yard, and 21-yard touchdown throws from Hooker.
THE TAKEAWAYS
South Carolina: Under first-year head coach Shane Beamer, the Gamecocks have a hurdle in building a strong program: the ability to run the ball on a regular basis.
USC hadn’t run for more than 102 yards in any of its previous four games since gaining 254 yards in the opener. The Gamecocks gained 153 yards against Tennessee,
which is rated No. 24 in the country against the run.
Tennessee: Under first-year head coach Josh Heupel, the Volunteers have shown they can be dominating among the SEC’s lowest tier opponents.
Next week, when Ole Miss, a strong squad, visits town, the team will take the next stage.
CAMPUS SALUTE
When Tennessee’s 1998 national championship team hit a snag, it looked to captain Al Wilson for guidance.
In December, Wilson will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
On Saturday, he was honored on campus.
Wilson leading the squad on the Vol Walk, which travels across campus on its approach to the stadium,
was a highlight of the celebrations.
Wilson, who wore No. 27, had his number painted on both sides of the field’s 27-yard line,
as well as a plaque on the stadium’s brickwork.
STILL LOOKING
South Carolina has played football for 115 years in a row. The Gamecocks have been in the SEC for 30 years, having joined the conference alongside Arkansas.
They’ve amassed a 99-137-1 record in those 30 years. The 100th win may come against Vanderbilt next week.
ELITE COMPANY
In the first quarter, Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker threw three touchdown passes.
In Tennessee’s past five games, he has thrown at least two touchdown passes.
Tyler Bray was the latest Vols quarterback to accomplish it in 2012.
OFF SCRIPT
Tennessee’s win on Saturday defied the pattern that had been prevalent in the previous nine meetings between the two teams.
Eight of the past nine games have been decided by six points or less since 2012.
Those eight close games had been divided between the two teams.
UP NEXT
South Carolina: When the Gamecocks host Vanderbilt next Saturday, they may have their greatest opportunity of breaking into the SEC victory column.
Tennessee: Needless to say, there will be plenty of activity at Neyland Stadium when the Vols take on Ole Miss next Saturday night. These two teams have the highest average plays per minute among Power 5 teams (2.89).
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