By Jimmy Hyams / @JimmyHyams
Kentucky coach Mark Stoops has gone against Hendon Hooker while the Tennessee quarterback was on another team, at another venue, at another time.
It was the 2019 Belk Bowl in Charlotte; the Wildcats faced Virginia Tech.
Hooker completed 12 of 22 passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns and ran 12 times for 50 yards in a 37-30 defeat to Kentucky.
Stoops remembers Hooker’s performance. Stoops also sees a better version of Hooker, one that leads the SEC in passing efficiency and directs the No. 4 scoring offense in the SEC.
“He’s making unbelievably quick decisions,’’ Stoops said on the SEC Teleconference earlier this week, when I asked the UK coach what impresses him most about Hooker.
Stoops said Hooker is “very confident’’ and doesn’t commit many turnovers considering how fast the Vols play.
“Very impressive,’’ said Stoops, whose Wildcats (6-2) host the Vols (4-4) Saturday at 7 p.m.
Hooker has been impressive. He took over as UT’s starter in Game 3 and has played like one of the SEC’s top five quarterbacks. His passer rating of 179.9 leads the SEC, just ahead of Alabama’s Bryce Young (177.1).
He has completed 114 of 166 passes (68.7%) for 1,578 yards and 17 touchdowns with just two interceptions. It’s hard to fathom he got beat out in fall camp by Joe Milton, who possess a strong arm and athletic ability, but lacks touch, accuracy and decision making.
Hooker has thrown for at least 220 yards in each of his five starts against power 5 teams. He’s also been an efficient and effective runner.
What has Hooker meant to the UT offense?
“The world,” said running back Jabari Small. “He’s a great player, great leader. He’s playing very great right now. We just want to continue that, and we’re locked in behind him. He’s a great leader.”
Part of Hooker’s arsenal is his running ability. He’s had a 100-yard game at UT and four others with at least 49 yards. He had two games of over 150 rush yards at Virginia Tech.
But given UT’s lack of depth at quarterback — the erratic Milton is the only other scholarship QB – the Vols, and Hooker, must be judicious with his runs. He doesn’t need to carry it 23 times a game, like he did against Ole Miss, when he got hurt late in the fourth quarter.
Offensive coordinator Alex Golesh is well aware of Hooker’s value and the necessity to keep him upright.
“The quarterback run is part of what Hendon is and is part of his game’’ Golesh said. “I have always looked at it as run when you feel like you need the extra hat in the run game.’’
But that can come with a price. In the rugged SEC, quarterbacks can take some vicious hits and Golesh admitted that Hooker runs “absolutely reckless in a lot of ways.’’
Despite Hooker’s toughness, he needs to run “smart,’’ Golesh said.
And UT needs to be smart with it’s play calling. Hooker doesn’t need to run a dozen times in the first half, especially when you want him fresh late with a game on the line.
I want the ball in his hands at the end of the game,’’ Golesh said.I think it gives us the best chance to win. You are going to get it to the guys who give you the best chance to win. I am extremely confident, and our offense is extremely confident with him having the ball in his hands.’’
That means in the fourth quarter against Kentucky, you can expect UT to ask Hooker to make winning plays.
Based on what Hooker has done so far, it would be hard to bet against him.
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