Hendon Hooker reveals mindset when Alabama tied game

Tennessee and Alabama‘s showdown last weekend was one of the most electrifying games of the college football season and a shootout that featured three different ties and four different lead changes in the second half before the Volunteers delivered the final, knockout punch delivered by a 40-yard Chase McGrath field goal. Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker was a huge catalyst in their 52-49 win, and spoke on his mindset when the Crimson Tide even up the score for the first time after being up 18 points at one point.

“I mean from the jump of the week, coaches and players, we all communicated and understood that it was gonna be a 60-minute battle and that both sides were gonna score. They have playmakers on their side of the ball and so do we, “Hooker said.

Plays were definitely made by both offenses, as they each generated over 550 yards of offense when it was all said and done. Hooker had two crucial second-half turnovers, an interception and a fumble that was recovered for a touchdown, which looked like they would cost Tennessee the game. But he responded quickly to both, throwing a touchdown pass on each of his drives following his turnovers, two of his five on the day.

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“But staying even-keeled, keeping my teammates in it even when we were up by big continuing to keep our foot on the gas,” Hooker said. “We had a couple hiccups but we define just stayed the path and played the next play and didn’t really dwell on the past.”

Hooker and the mindset of the Volunteers propelled them to victory over one of college football’s most dominant programs in history, as they hope to continue to climbing and reaching new heights as a program.

Josh Heupel praises Hendon Hooker for composure

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker helped lead the Volunteers to a 52-49 upset victory over Alabama, snapping a 15-game losing streak to the Crimson Tide. Hooker played a huge role in Tennessee’s victory but did not play a perfect game with two costly, second-half turnovers. But he had a short memory, making even bigger plays following his mistakes and showing phenomenal composure in multiple big moments, which head coach Josh Heupel spoke about.

“Great players and great quarterbacks have to be able to reset from one play to the next,” Heupel said. There’s no way you’re going to out and play a perfect game, you have the ball in your hands all the time, eventually, it probably doesn’t go your way. I’ve been really fortunate that it has gone his way, our way, most of the first half of the season.”

It certainly has gone Hooker and the Volunteer’s way this season, as they remain unbeaten and their win over Alabama elevated them to a No. 3 ranking in the latest AP Poll, Tennessee’s highest ranking since 2005.

But when it didn’t go Hooker’s way on Saturday, he made major responses. Down one point Hooker threw an interception in the third quarter to Alabama safety DeMarcco Hellams, then on his following drive orchestrated a three-play, 94-yard touchdown drive.

On his next possession, he had a costly fumble during his exchange with his running back that was returned for an Alabama touchdown. And on the next drive, led a game tying touchdown drive capped off by his fifth touchdown pass to receiver Jalin Hyatt.

“The other night his maturity, his understanding of the game allows him when something isn’t perfect it doesn’t go right to understand the why behind it which gives you confidence and calmness to be able to go reset and play the next play,” Heupel said. “There’s no doubt that his maturity and his confidence and his ability to reset also allows the ten other guys around him and our entire offense to do that as well, can’t take that for granted.”

Hooker led Tennessee’s offense to not only a big win, but a historic performance, as their 52 points were the most scored on Alabama since 1907. He’s even gotten his name in the conversation for the Heisman Trophy award in December, as he looks to continue to lead the unbeaten Volunteers with his elite play and high level composure.