Tennessee’s former backup quarterback Hendon Hooker took center stage Saturday in a 56-0 beatdown of Tennessee Tech. Hooker was the star in a full cast of top performers as the Vols were just that much better than Golden Eagles. The game wasn’t expected to be close and it wasn’t. Hooker made sure of that with by completing 17-of-25 passes for 199 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Hooker started and was in the game after former starter Joe Milton suffered an injury against Pittsburgh last week. The Vols are 2-1 and begin conference play at Florida next week. Florida plays Alabama on Saturday evening.

Tennessee controlled all aspects of the game. They had 202 yards rushing and 4 touchdowns on the ground. Transfer Velus Jones was the star receiver of the game with 65 yards on 3 receptions, including 1 for a touchdown. The ball was spread around well as four UT players caught touchdowns.

There’s little more that we know about UT after Saturday’s game than they still have enough talent to beat a much lesser foe.

However, we do know Hooker has provided a spark each time he’s in the game, beginning with last week. Now, he’s done so for nearly an entire game.

That doesn’t mean he’ll beat Florida but a mobile quarterback with a strong arm can at least give the Vols a chance. That will all be determined week in Tennessee’s first game at The Swamp.