Hendon Hooker, Tennessee Football News: Draft Scout Player News

10/15/22 - QB Hendon Hooker, rSr/2023, Tennessee

After 15 years of being a rival to Alabama in name only, Tennessee snapped a humbling losing streak, stamped itself a championship contender and celebrated in spectacular fashion. Chase McGrath made a 40-yard field goal as time expired to give No. 6 Tennessee a 52-49 victory over No. 3 Alabama on Saturday. As soon as the kick knuckle-balled through the uprights, some of the more than 100,000 fans stormed the field to join the party as the Volunteers (6-0, 3-0 Southeastern Conference) ended a 15-game losing streak to the Crimson Tide (6-1, 3-1). Fireworks went off over Neyland Stadium and it glowed orange as the song "Dixieland Delight" by the band Alabama - a Crimson Tide favorite - blared over the stadium speakers. And it didn't take long for the goal posts to go down. "This is college football at its absolute best," Vols coach Josh Heupel said. Hendon Hooker drove the Vols 45 yards in 18 seconds to set up the winner. Jalin Hyatt caught six passes for 207 yards and a Tennessee-record five touchdowns.

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, a game-time decision because of a sprained right shoulder two weeks ago, completed 35 passes for 455 yards and two TDs. Hyatt's fifth TD catch tied it at 49 with 3:26 left in the fourth. Young drove the Tide into the Tennessee territory in the final minute, but Alabama stalled at the 33 with three straight incomplete passes. Will Reichard's 50-yard field goal attempt for the lead was wide way right. With only 21 seconds left, overtime seemed likely, but Hooker wasn't done and did the Heisman Trophy winner one better. Hooker completed two passes for 45 yards, the second a 27-yard strike to Bru McCoy that gave Tennessee a chance for a makeable field goal - and McGrath came through to give the Volunteers its biggest victory in years. Tennessee had not beaten a top-10 teams since 2006 against Georgia. That was also the last time the Vols beat Alabama. - Tennessee/AP College Football

rSr/2023