For the second week in a row Tennessee turned in an impressive performance vs a conference opponent and once again the college football world took notice.
Vols redshirt senior Quarterback Hendon Hooker was named to the Davey O’Brian Award Great 8 list and his teammate, redshirt sophomore defensive back, Brandon Turnage was named the SEC defensive player of the week Monday.
Hooker totaled 291 yards (225 passing and 66 rushing) and 4 touchdowns (3 passing 1 rushing) in the Vols 45-20 romp of the Gamecocks Saturday in UT’s SEC home opener at Neyland Stadium.
“Hendon’s continuing to grow and develop offensively,” Tennessee Head Coach Josh Heupel said postgame Saturday. “To have complete command of what we’re doing. That’s in the run game, that’s in the pass game, it’s understanding protections. You can see that we trust the ball in his hands in certain situations too and continues to grow and take great care of the football. He has great command and the players have responded to him in a really positive way.”
After being named to a Great 8 list during the season, Hooker has been added to the Davey O’Brien Award Midseason Watch List and becomes eligible for consideration for the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award.
Turnage who made his first career start in place of the injured Theo Jackson Saturday finished with a game-high and career-best 14 tackles, two for loss as the Vol defense stifled the opponent offensively for the 2nd week in a row.
“Honestly, it was just truly a blessing,” Turnage said after the game. “Coach every day, every week talks about everybody being ready, everybody being prepared. My name was called, and I went out there and do what I have to do.”
The Vols are back in Neyland Stadium Saturday Night at 6:30 when they host Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss. Vol Network Coverage starts at 5:00 Saturday on The Rooster 101.5!
Kickoff time set for Tennessee-Alabama
The SEC announced Monday that the Vols annual matchup with the Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa will kick off at 6:00 on Saturday October 23rd. After 4 consecutive noon kickoffs in their first 5 games of the season this marks the second straight week Tennessee plays in primetime.
SEC Schedule for Saturday, October 23, 2021:
Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Arkansas (in Little Rock), 11 am SEC Network
LSU at Ole Miss, 2:30 pm on CBS
Mississippi State at Vanderbilt, 3 pm on SEC Network
Tennessee at Alabama, 6 pm on The Rooster 101.5 (Pregame coverage starts at 4:30)
South Carolina at Texas A&M, 6:30 pm on SEC Network
