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Josh Heupel has already resurrected the Tennessee offense, and it led to a fun weekend for Vols fans. On Saturday, behind 4 touchdown tosses from quarterback Hendon Hooker, the Vols knocked off 18th-ranked Kentucky in Lexington to move to 5-4 on the year.
Hooker got things started against the Cats with a bang thanks to a 75-yard touchdown pass to JaVonta Payton on the first play from scrimmage. Later in the first quarter, Hooker connected with Velus Jones Jr. for a 72-yard touchdown pass. The tone was set for a high-scoring affair. Tennessee outlasted the Wildcats 45-42.
Bill Martin, Tennessee’s Assistant Athletic Director for Football Communication, shared an interesting nugget about the Vols’ big-play capability Sunday afternoon.
From 2017 through the 2020 season, the Tennessee offense had 5 offensive plays that gained 70 yards or more. Through the team’s first 9 games this season, the Vols have 5. And they’re tied for the nation’s lead in that category.
Tennessee @Vol_Football 70+ Yd Offensive Plays:
2021: 5*
2020: 1
2019: 2
2018: 2
2017: 0
2016: 2
2015: 1
2014, '13: 0
* – denotes tied for national lead— Bill Martin (@Bill_Martin) November 7, 2021
Nice to know that if Tennessee coach Josh Heupel wants to dial up a momentum play, he need only hit the “70-yard pass” button on the controller.
Tennessee (5-4, 3-3 SEC) is back in action on Nov. 13 when it hosts No. 1 Georgia (9-0, 7-0 SEC) for a 3:30 p.m. ET kick.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
