Tennessee’s Hooker has enough to stop Florida

Quarterback shakes off injury, accounts for 461 yards, three scores to push Volunteers to 4-0.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Despite an upper-body injury and the absence of his favorite target, Hendon Hooker was at his best Saturday night.

The Tennessee quarterback threw for 349 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for 112 yards and a score to lead the No. 11 Volunteers to a 38-33 victory over No. 20 Florida.

It was Tennessee’s second win over Florida in the last 18 meetings and ended a six-game losing streak in the series. The win gave the Volunteers their first 4-0 start since 2016.

“This is one of the great stories in college football,” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said of his team. “The game-day atmosphere. That is Rocky Top. It’s what we built.”

“The work we put in is showing,” said Vols running back Jabari Small, who rushed for 90 yards and a touchdown. “It shows how far we’ve come.”

Tennessee (4-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) took control in the fourth quarter when it drove 87 yards for a touchdown after a fumble by quarterback Anthony Richardson for Florida (2-2, 0-2).

Richardson had a career-high 453 yards passing and two touchdowns, and ran for 62 and two scores in a raucous Neyland Stadium.

Tennessee led 17-14 at halftime following a first half loaded with big offensive plays.

Hooker, who shook off the injury, threw for 248 yards, including a 70-yard connection with ex-USC receiver Bru McCoy for the Vols’ longest play from scrimmage this season.

“I didn’t feel any spotlight or stage,” Hooker said. “Just another day at the office.”