Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker wasn’t overjoyed by the Vols’ offensive performance against Pittsburgh on Saturday. He described the display as quite average.
The senior said he would give the Vols a ‘C’ grade for how they played in a 34-27 overtime win against the Panthers. That’s not a great mark for an offense that is expected to be one of the best in the country.
“We came out and were missing some throws early in the game, missing some catches, missed some blocks, but at the end of the day, we kept pushing and kept taking that step forward,” Hooker said. “At the end of the day, that’s all that we can hope for.”
The Vols fell behind 10-0 to the Panthers in the opening quarter. That was unusual. Tennessee’s led the nation in scoring in the first quarter last season. The Vols only managed seven points in the first quarter against Pitt. Tennessee then surged ahead to a 24-17 lead at halftime and seemed to be pulling away. Then, a bevy of mistakes in the second half allowed the Panthers to stay within clawing distance.
“Just came out with a slow start,” Hooker said. “It happens. The big thing is just overcoming that challenge and get going.”
Hooker ended the Pitt game with 325 passing yards on 27 completions with 42 attempts. Hooker also threw for two touchdowns, but missed a handful of open receivers early in the game.
While many thought Tennessee could win comfortably against Pitt, Hooker said the Vols never expected to just roll into the Steel City.
“We talked about this situation,” Hooker said, alluding to pregame exchanges. “We established that it was going to be a 60-minute game. It was going to be a 12-round, prize fight.
“We just came out and executed how we wanted to on the backend. That’s the most important thing – how we finish.”
Hooker finished well. His 28-yard touchdown pass to receiver Cedric Tillman in overtime proved to be the decisive score. Hooker said he decided to throw the ball to Tillman because the 6-foot-5 receiver had a smaller defender lined up on him just before the snap. However, Hooker isn’t playing favorites, despite the fact that Tillman was repeatedly targeted throughout the game.
“Whoever is out there, I’m going to get them the ball when they’re open,” Hooker said when asked about his chemistry with Tillman. “That’s my job, to get the playmakers the ball in space and let them do what they do. Whoever is out there with me, I’m going to get them the ball.”
And he did.
