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Tennessee football: Hooker shares secret to Vols’ offensive success

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Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker couldn’t help repeating himself after the Vols smashed LSU 40-13 on Saturday. In fact, repetition was the name of the game when he was asked about receiver Bru McCoy’s performance.

“It’s just reps,” Hooker said. “Reps and reps and reps. The receivers work extremely hard.” 

Apparently the work is paying off. Led by McCoy’s seven catches for 140 yards, the Vols decimated LSU’s defensive backs at will, racking up 223 yards just amongst the wideouts.

“All throughout this summer, Bru was up here in Tennessee working out and catching balls,” Hooker said of McCoy, who transferred from Southern California following the 2021 season, “We all just continue to work together and gain that chemistry.”

That has certainly happened between Hooker and McCoy, who was the Vols’ go-to receiver on Saturday as Cedric Tillman was sidelined with an ankle injury. McCoy has shown flashes of his speed and power earlier this season. The two were in perfect unison against the Tigers.

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“He plays with a chip on his shoulder and you can see that,” Hooker said. “He’s not easy to take down and he’s very fast. Just him going out there and playing aggressively and playing his game, it’s amazing to watch.”

The Vols had their way with LSU through the air. The running game was no different. Tennessee ran for 263 yards on 49 carries.

“I was talking to the offensive line a lot, just saying let’s continue to move the line of scrimmage and its starts with them,” Hooker said.

Dave Hooker and Caleb Calhoun breakdown Tennessee’s 40-13 win over LSU

Known as a passing team, the Vols can still do that. However, Tennessee proved it can control a game, especially with a lead, by utilizing the running game. UT running back Jabari Small ran for 127 yards on 22 carries, including two carries of 49 and 50 yards.

“They’ve made a conscious effort of making a statement and moving the line of scrimmage throughout this whole offseason, through camp and through this season as well,” Hooker said of UT’s offensive line play. “I’m extremely proud of them.”

Understandably so.

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