WATCH: Tennessee Tiyon Evans scores 47-yard touchdown vs. Florida
Tennessee came into Saturday night’s SEC divisional matchup vs. Florida as a significant underdog, but the Volunteers don’t appear to be intimidated early.
Midway through the first quarter, Tennessee answered Florida’s opening touchdown with this 47-yard score from Tiyon Evans.
Dan Mullen discusses facing Tennessee two-quarterback system
It could be a battle between two-quarterback systems on Saturday when Tennessee takes on No. 11 Florida. Like Florida with starter Emory Jones and backup Anthony Richardson, the Volunteers typically has two quarterbacks see the field at some point on gameday. Hendon Hooker appears likely to start for Tennessee for the second consecutive week, and Joe Milton’s status is uncertain for the game. Florida head coach Dan Mullen talked about facing Tennessee’s quarterbacks earlier in the week.
“Well, I think you watch them and there are similarities between the two guys that play,” Mullen said of Tennessee’s quarterback room. “They both have experience and now have played in games. Both have strong arms to push the ball down field, I know they love to push the ball vertically down the field. They are good runners when they have the quarterback runs called or the zone read calls when they pull it.
“But to me, the thing that makes them dangerous is their ability to extend plays. Their ability when all of a sudden, the play breaks down a little bit, their ability to go create something special beyond that and make something happen out there on the field. And the explosiveness they’ve been able to do in getting outside of the offense and creating on their own.”
Hendon Hooker starting at QB for Vols
Hendon Hooker is set to make a second straight start at quarterback for Tennessee.
Hooker, a transfer from Virginia Tech, will be the Vols’ starter Saturday night against No. 11 Florida in Gainesville, sources told On3.
Hooker was 17 of 25 for 199 yards with three touchdown passes in Tennessee’s 56-0 win over Tennessee Tech last week. He also ran for 64 yards and a score.
Joe Milton was the starting QB in the Vols’ first two games but has been working back from an injury suffered during Tennessee’s 41-34 loss to Pittsburgh Sept. 11.