After a five-year career in college football, Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker is officially a bowl-game winner.
Hard to believe, right?
Despite not playing in the 2022 Capital One Orange Bowl, the two-year Tennessee quarterback and Volunteer leader still had a big part to play in Tennessee’s 31-14 win over No. 7 Clemson on Friday night in the bowl game. Hooker led Tennessee to a 9-2 record through the first 11 games while collecting 32 touchdowns before going down with an injury in the penultimate game of the regular season.
Hooker has also been tied at the hip with good friend and roommate, Joe Milton III. Which was why Hooker was so excited to see Milton’s success on Friday night.
“Joe did a great job of commanding the troops and driving the ball down the field,” Hooker said about Milton after the game. “Made some great throws, some big throws, did some crazy things with his legs as well. I’m really proud of him for just pushing through the adversity. Had a couple of drives that didn’t go his way and he really bounced back and made some big plays.”
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In his three years at Virginia Tech, the Hokies reached a bowl game in Hooker’s first two seasons. While Hooker didn’t play in the 2018 bowl game, the Greensboro, N.C. native did start against Kentucky during the 2019 Belk Bowl. Hooker went 12-of-22 for 110 yards and two touchdowns, also adding in 12 rushing attempts for 50 yards in the 37-30 loss to the Wildcats.
During his first season at Tennessee, Hooker and the Volunteers lost a heartbreaking game to Purdue in overtime in the 2021 Music City Bowl in Nashville. Hooker was magnificent, though, throwing for 378 yards and five touchdowns while going 26-of-41 from the field.
So, even despite his injury, it was easy to tell that Hooker was having fun celebrating Tennessee’s win – and his first bowl victory – in the Orange Bowl on Friday night in Miami. As the big celebration was going on stage, Hooker, along with Milton and head coach Josh Heupel, all had big smiles as the three quarterbacks launched oranges into the crowd on the field.
“That was cool, that was cool,” Hooker said with a chuckle about the celebration. “Being in college for so long, this is my first bowl win. It’s a blessing to just be here with the people I love and seeing them.”
Hendon Hooker, Joe Milton, and Josh Heupel are just slinging oranges out into the crowd! That’s what quarterbacks do. // @rockytopinsider pic.twitter.com/MUIgoCN97v
— Ric Butler (@Ric_Butler) December 31, 2022
Quarterback Hendon Hooker College Bowl History:
2018 – Virginia Tech: Military Bowl (Loss to Cincinnati 35-31)
2019 – Virginia Tech: Belk Bowl (Loss to Kentucky 37-30)
2020 – Virginia Tech: N/A
2021 – Tennessee: Music City Bowl (Loss to Purdue 47-45)
2022 – Tennessee: Orange Bowl (Win over Clemson 31-14)
