[ad_1]
21 hours in the past
AP
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — – Hendon Hooker threw for 225 yards and three touchdowns and ran for one to guide Tennessee to a 45-20 Southeastern Convention victory over South Carolina Saturday.
The Volunteers (4-2, 2-1) led 35-0 within the second quarter earlier than the Gamecocks (3-3, 0-3) staged a restoration. After final week’s 62-24 win over Missouri it made the primary time Tennessee has scored greater than 40 factors in back-to-back SEC video games since 2016.
Vols’ operating again Tiyon Evans rushed for 119 yards and a landing earlier than leaving halfway via the third quarter with an damage.
“Within the first half, we performed effectively in all three phases of the sport,” stated Tennessee coach Josh Heupel. “We realized that it’s important to be on the proper facet of the aggressive edge for 60 minutes.”
“Our guys, actually, we felt had been ready to play and able to deal with the tempo,” stated South Carolina coach Shane Beamer. “Clearly we did not do a fantastic job dealing with the tempo early within the recreation and that acquired us. We settled down as the sport went on, however we simply dug ourselves too huge a gap early within the recreation. We’ve to do a greater job beginning quick.”
Hooker improved his file to 3-1 as a starter in a recreation during which he was the clear-cut starter for the primary time this season.
“Hendon continues to develop into full command of the run recreation, move recreation and caring for the soccer,” stated Heupel. “The gamers round him have responded in a optimistic approach.”
Hooker hit Jalin Hyatt, JaVonta Payton and Velus Jones for landing passes of three, 39 and 21 yards, respectively.
The Gamecocks had an opportunity to make it 14-7 within the first quarter. On first-and-goal from the 1, Jordan Burch took a pitch from quarterback Luke Doty and tried to toss a move into the top zone nevertheless it was intercepted by Jaylen McCollough.
“We had been operating the ball effectively and hindsight is 20/20,” stated Beamer. “If we proceed to run the ball and hammer it in and make it a 14-7 recreation. However that was a play we practiced all week and Jordan had thrown that ball I believe in highschool. It is one thing we labored on all alongside this week and he made some nice throws.”
THE TAKEAWAYS
South Carolina: The flexibility to run the ball on a constant foundation is a problem the Gamecocks need to navigate within the course of of creating a strong program below first-year head coach Shane Beamer. After gaining 254 yards within the opener, USC hadn’t rushed for greater than 102 yards in its different 4 video games. In opposition to Tennessee, ranked No. 24 towards the run, the Gamecocks gained 153 yards.
Tennessee: A program on the rise below first-year head coach Josh Heupel, Tennessee has confirmed it may be dominant among the many backside tier of SEC groups. The subsequent step will come subsequent week when Ole Miss, a top quality crew, involves city.
CAMPUS SALUTE
When Tennessee’s 1998 nationwide championship crew bumped into tough spots alongside the best way, it turned to captain Al Wilson for his management abilities. Wilson might be inducted into the Faculty Soccer Corridor of Fame in December. Saturday was his on-campus salute. A spotlight of the festivities was Wilson main the crew on the Vol Stroll, which winds via campus on the best way to the stadium. Wilson, who wore No. 27, had his quantity painted on the 27-yard line on either side of the sphere in addition to a plaque on the bricks surrounding the stadium.
STILL LOOKING
South Carolina has been enjoying soccer for 115 consecutive years. That is the thirtieth season the Gamecocks have been within the SEC, becoming a member of the league with Arkansas. In these 30 years, they’ve rolled up a file of 99-137-1. Victory No. 100 may come subsequent week towards Vanderbilt.
ELITE COMPANY
Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker threw three landing passes within the first quarter. He has thrown no less than two TD passes in Tennessee’s final 5 video games. The final Vols’ quarterback to do this was Tyler Bray in 2012.
OFF SCRIPT
Saturday’s Tennessee victory did not comply with the pattern that had been well-liked within the final 9 conferences between South Carolina and Tennessee. Since 2012, eight of the final 9 video games have been determined by six or fewer factors. The groups had cut up these eight tight video games.
UP NEXT
South Carolina: The Gamecocks could have their greatest probability to interrupt into the win column within the SEC after they entertain Vanderbilt subsequent Saturday.
Tennessee: Suffice it to say, there might be loads of motion in Neyland Stadium subsequent Saturday night time when the Vols host Ole Miss. These two groups lead Energy 5 groups in common performs per minute (2.89).
——
Extra AP faculty soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP–Top25.
Join the AP’s faculty soccer e-newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25
[ad_2]
Source