Vols QB Hooker done for season with torn ACL
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee throughout Saturday’s 63-38 loss to South Carolina and will miss the remainder of the season.Team officials feared the worst Saturday after Hooker was hurt in the fourth quarter, and the school announced the news Sunday.”Hendon and the Hooker household appreciate all of your prayers and support,”the group stated in a post on Twitter.” Hendon’s incredible journey has actually been defined by faith, perseverance and strength. Challenges have never ever stood in the way on his course to achievement. Permanently a Tennessee legend and the ultimate teammate, we know Hendo will return stronger than ever as he embarks on an appealing NFL profession. Thank you, Hendo.”Hooker, a 24-year-old senior, was one of the favorites for the Heisman Prize for much of
this season. He suffered the non-contact injury while rolling left on a choice play, and his leg seemed to get stuck in the grass at Williams-Brice Stadium. Hooker lost control of the ball and right away went to the ground. He was helped off the field and after that hopped gingerly to the locker room with the assistance of the training personnel.2 Related A two-year starter for the Vols, Hooker was a driving
force in Tennessee’s turn-around under second-year coach Josh Heupel after moving from Virginia Tech. He passed for 3,135 yards and 27 touchdowns and threw just two interceptions this season. He ranks ninth nationally in overall offense(and initially in the SEC)with approximately 324.1 lawns per game.A year earlier, in his very first season at Tennessee, Hooker won the beginning job in Week 3 and completed with 2,945
passing yards and 31 goals while tossing simply three interceptions. He likewise rushed for nine touchdowns.Heupel informed ESPN earlier this month that Hooker was playing as effectively as any quarterback he ‘d ever been around. “It’s fun to see, how everyone else rallies around him and the command he has out there of our offense, “Heupel said.” In some cases he makes it look easy, however it’s his attention to detail,
his work ethic and competitive spirit that make him so unique. He’s someone they’re going to remember around here for a long time. “Hooker was the heartbeat of a Tennessee team that started 8-0 and was ranked No. 1 in the first College Football Playoff rankings. However the Vols lost that next week to Georgia on the road and after that Saturday to the Gamecocks.With Hooker sidelined, Tennessee will rely on Joe Milton III at quarterback Saturday against Vanderbilt. Milton, a transfer from Michigan, began in the first 2 games a year ago for the Vols before Hooker beat him out for the task.
Milton ended up the game against South Carolina after Hooker was hurt and tossed a 21-yard goal pass to Cedric Tillman in the last minutes of the game.