By Garin Turner
There was no hangover from last week’s win over previous No 2 Alabama as No. 2 Tennessee defeated UT Martin 65-24. QB Hendon Hooker continued on his great season going 18/24 for 276 yards and three touchdowns all in the first half. The Volunteers would play five QB’s.
Tennessee scored first when Jabari Smith punched it in from a yard out. UT Martin (4-3) would answer back with a four-yard run from Zoe Roberts to tie things up at 7-7. It would be all Tennessee (7-0) from there. Princeton Fant scored on a one yard run to give the Volunteers the lead for good. As time expired in the first quarter, Hooker threw his first touchdown, an eight yarder to Ramel Keyton for a 21-7 score.
After a Tennessee field goal, Jalin Hyatt scored on a 22-yard reception from Hooker. Hooker and Keyton connected again, this time a 17-yard score. Fant would then score for a second time on a 11-yard run and Hyatt scored on another pass, this time for 66 yards from Hooker. At the half, Tennessee was up 52-7.
The Volunteers would score twice more in the second half. Once in the third and in the fourth. Dylan Sampson ran for a one-yard score followed by a 64-yard TD pass from Joe Milton III to Squirrel White.
Tennessee went 15/20 on third down while holding UT Martin to 3/12. Total yards for the Volunteers were 696 including 495 passing. They did commit 13 penalties for 109 yards but forced two turnovers.
Hyatt finished with seven receptions for 174 yards and the two scores. White and Keyton both had five receptions. White had 122 yards and a score while Keyton had 77 yards and two scores.
UP NEXT
Tennessee: Another Top 25 matchup is next for Tennessee as they host No 19 Kentucky next Saturday.
UT Martin: Will be on the road for the third consecutive week as they take on Houston Christian.
