Connect with us

Tennessee

Heupel: Vols showed ‘growth’ in rare win vs. UF

Published

on

Heupel: Vols showed ‘growth’ in rare win vs. UF


KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — For under the second time up to now 18 years, Tennessee was basking in a win over Florida on Saturday, this one a 38-33 thriller that went proper right down to the tip.

However because the followers celebrated exterior the media room at Neyland Stadium, a composed Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker smiled and stated nothing had modified for the Vols.

“We nonetheless have the identical mission, and that is attending to Atlanta [for the SEC championship game],” stated Hooker, who handed for 349 yards and rushed for 112 yards. “We’re simply going to remain the course, are available on daily basis and hold getting higher.”

The Vols (4-0) final superior to the SEC championship recreation in 2007, and an enormous cause for that drought is that they merely have not been capable of beat Florida.

Whereas Hooker did his finest to downplay the win, a sold-out, checkerboarded Neyland Stadium was nonetheless buzzing some quarter-hour after Tennessee cornerback Kamal Hadden intercepted Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson’s ultimate heave towards the tip zone within the waning seconds. Tennessee led 38-21 with 7:55 to play when Jaylen Wright burst throughout the purpose line on a 5-yard landing run.

Advertisement

However the Vols needed to survive a few late touchdowns by the Gators (2-2), to not point out a recovered onside kick within the ultimate seconds to sweat out the win, one thing that had eluded them in nearly each method potential for a lot of the previous decade and a half.

“I am actually excited for our gamers, simply the expansion they’ve proven, the power to compete it doesn’t matter what the rating was, it doesn’t matter what was happening within the soccer recreation,” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel stated. “They’re simply resilient and fierce rivals, the place we have grown within the time that I have been right here. I am actually happy with our gamers.”

Hooker, making his personal Heisman Trophy assertion, threw a landing go in his sixteenth straight recreation. He additionally shook off a number of fierce hits to remain within the recreation and lead the Vols to what was simply the most important win of the Heupel period. Since taking on the beginning quarterback job in Week 3 a 12 months in the past, Hooker has accounted for 45 touchdowns, accomplished 69% of his passes and thrown simply two interceptions in that span.

“I informed him after he busted a long term, ‘You are particular,’” Tennessee operating again Jabari Small stated. “I used to be in awe. I am a fan proper now, however Hendon is identical particular person on daily basis. He stays within the recreation, at all times smiling and does every little thing proper off the sector. So while you see it on the sector, it simply interprets. … He is only a nice participant.”

And by no means was Hooker’s toughness extra on show than within the second quarter, when he took a shot to his shoulder space and received up wincing. However he by no means flinched on the sector.

Advertisement

“There are ups and downs and aches and pains all through a soccer recreation. It is a bodily recreation,” Hooker stated. “Persevering via that’s one thing I pleasure myself on, simply being a warrior and competing for my brothers.”

Hooker stated being banged up did not change the way in which he performed the remainder of the way in which. In reality, he led the Vols on a 12-play, 99-yard landing drive proper earlier than the half that modified the complexion of the sport.

“It is a part of the sport,” Hooker stated. “You are going to get hit arduous. You are going to get banged up. When you can go, you may go. If you cannot, you may’t.”

The Vols have been enjoying with out their finest receiver, Cedric Tillman, who was out with an ankle damage. Having an open date subsequent week ought to assist the Vols heal a few of their accidents. They journey to LSU on Oct. 8 after which Alabama involves Knoxville on Oct. 15.

“There’s lots we will do higher, however the purpose for us is to discover a strategy to win every Saturday we’re on the sector, to be one of the best soccer staff,” Heupel stated. “We have been in a position to do this tonight. Nice recreation, man.”

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Tennessee

Tennessee Quarterback Enters The Transfer Portal Ahead Of Final Collegiate Season | Rocky Top Insider

Published

on

Tennessee Quarterback Enters The Transfer Portal Ahead Of Final Collegiate Season | Rocky Top Insider


Gaston Moore (13) looks to pass during a game against Kent State at Neyland Stadium. Saturday, Sept. 15, 2024. Photo by Cole Moore/Rocky Top Insider

Tennessee quarterback Gaston Moore is entering the transfer portal ahead of his final season of eligibility, 247sports Matt Zenitz first reported on Thursday morning.

Moore spent four seasons at Tennessee after originally going to Central Florida out of high school. The Hilton Head, South Carolina native followed Heupel from UCF to Tennessee and worked his way up the depth chart before serving as the backup quarterback in 2024.

The 6-foot-2, 212-pound signal caller completed 16-of-27 passes for 201 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions off the bench in 2024.

Moore played a handful of meaningful snaps for Tennessee during the 2024 season. He came in for one play in the first half against Alabama, throwing an interception on a third down deep ball. After Nico Iamaleava went into concussion protocol against Mississippi State, Moore came in at halftime and completed five-of-eight passes for 38 yards while also picking up a handful of pass interference calls.

Advertisement
More From RTI: Tennessee Football’s Complete Season PFF Grades

Moore also played garbage time snaps in Tennessee’s lopsided wins over Chattanooga, Kent State and UTEP. The walk-on quarterback played sparingly in his first three seasons at Tennessee but didn’t attempt more than 10 passes in any of those seasons.

Despite having already spent five seasons in college Moore still has one more year of eligibility remaining. The signal caller spent the 2020 season at UCF which didn’t count against his eligibility due to COVID-19 eligibility relief. Moore then redshirted the 2021 season at Tennessee meaning only three seasons counted against his eligibility.

Without Moore, redshirt freshman quarterback Jake Merklinger and incoming freshman George MacIntyre will compete for Tennessee’s backup quarterback spot behind Nico Iamaleava.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Tennessee

Christmas travel rush kicks off in West Tennessee – WBBJ TV

Published

on

Christmas travel rush kicks off in West Tennessee – WBBJ TV


JACKSON, Tenn. — It’s Christmas, the time of the year when travel gets busier as people move to and from their holiday destinations.

Christmas is underway and the holiday travel is in full affect across the region.

Here in West Tennessee, many are traveling for the holidays. A report from the Automobile Association predicted that more than 119 million Americans have at least 50 miles to travel for end of the year holidays. One traveler tells what their Christmas experience means to them.

Advertisement

Wbbj 2

“For me it was getting to be with family. I have sisters and stuff that I went to visit. One of them invited us up for dinner so, even though it’s a two-and-a-half hour drive, it’s always good to see family,” said Andrew Knox, traveler.

Knox says the Christmas menu did not disappoint this year.

“We had greens, macaroni and cheese, stuffed shells, dressing, ham, chicken wings — BBQ and plain, it was off the chain,” said Knox.

We asked about their end of the year reflections and what they expect for the new year.

“Grateful to have my wife with me of 17 years, my best friend and stuff, so I’m grateful that everybody is doing well. The family is doing well and that’s the main thing. Just so much to be thankful for and I just want everybody to be kind to each other. That’s all I would hope for the new year coming,” said Knox.

Advertisement

More than half of holiday travelers will return home on the same night. Airlines expect their busiest days to be on friday and Sunday, December 27 and December 29.

“We drove up this morning and we’re on our way back home now,” said Knox.

If your looking for last minute holiday attractions, see our 2024 Guide to the Holidays in West Tennessee.

For more news in the Jackson area, click here.





Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Tennessee

Four-star 2026 defensive back Justin Hopkins narrows list to 12, including Tennessee football

Published

on

Four-star 2026 defensive back Justin Hopkins narrows list to 12, including Tennessee football


Ensworth defensive back Justin Hopkins included Tennessee football among his final 12 schools in a social media post Wednesday.

The 5-foot-11, 170-pound four-star cornerback listed the Vols along with Vanderbilt, Minnesota, Duke, Missouri, Indiana, Georgia Tech, Maryland, Iowa, Ole Miss, Auburn and West Virginia on his X account, formerly known as Twitter.

He’s the No. 9-ranked prospect in Tennessee and No. 18 nationally at corner for the class of 2026, according to 247Sports Composite.

Advertisement

Hopkins also holds offers from Cincinnati, UConn, Memphis, Miami (Ohio), Purdue, Toledo, UNLV and Western Kentucky.

Tennessee coach Josh Heupel guided the Vols to a College Football Playoff berth as one of the 12 teams in the newly expanded field. Heupel has had success securing some of the state’s top recruits in recent years, including Brentwood Academy quarterback George MacIntyre, Hopkins’ teammate, defensive tackle, Ethan Utley as well as Baylor wide receiver Joakim Dodson, Jefferson County offensive lineman Nic Moore and Sheffield wideout Radarious Jackson.

Hopkins helped guide Ensworth to an 11-1 record that included a trip to the TSSAA Division II-AAA state semifinal game. He finished the 2024 season with 42 receptions for 705 yards and seven touchdowns. Defensively, he added 16 tackles, two for a loss, seven pass break-ups, two interceptions and a defensive TD.

Reach sports writer George Robinson at georgerobinsontheleafchronicle.com and on the X platform (formerly Twitter) @Cville_Sports. 

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending