Anthony Richardson threw a pick as Tennessee remained perfect on the season. 0:58
It was only the second time in 18 years that Tennessee had won over Florida, and this time it was 38-33 in overtime.
The quarterback smiled and said nothing had changed for the Vols as the fans celebrated outside the media room.
"We still have the same goal, and that's going to Atlanta for the SEC championship game," said Hooker, who passed for 349 yards and ran for 112 yards. We're going to stay the course and keep getting better.
The Vols haven't advanced to the SEC championship game since 2007, and that's because they haven't been able to beat the Gators.
While Hooker did his best to downplay the win, a sold-out, checkerboarded Neyland Stadium was still buzzing 15 minutes after the game ended. Jaylen Wright ran across the goal line to score a touchdown for Tennessee.
The Vols had to survive a couple of late touchdown passes by the Gators and a recovered onside kick in the final seconds to escape with the victory.
"I'm really excited for our players, just the growth they've shown, the ability to compete no matter what the score was, no matter what was happening in the football game," Heupel said. We've grown in the time that I've been here. I am very proud of our players.
Hooker has thrown a touchdown pass in 16 straight games. Since taking over the starting quarterback position in Week 3 a year ago, Hooker has accounted for 45 touchdown, completed 69% of his passes and thrown just two turnovers.
"After he ran a long run, I told him, 'You're special,'" Small said. I was blown away. I'm a fan of his but he's the same person every day. He does everything off the field and stays in the game. It justtranslates when you see it on the field He's a really good player.
In the second quarter, Hooker got up wincing after taking a shot to his shoulder area, and it was one of the highlights of his career. He didn't flinch on the field.
During a football game, there are ups and downs. Hooker said that the game is a physical one. Being a warrior and competing for my brothers are things I pride myself on.
The way Hooker played the rest of the way was unaffected by his injuries. He led the Vols on a 99-yard touchdown drive in the second quarter that changed the complexion of the game.
Hooker said that it was part of the game. You're going to get hurt. You are going to get hurt. You can go if you want to. You can't if you can't.
The best receiver for the Vols was out with an injury. The Vols will have an open date next week. On October 8 they travel to LSU and on October 15 they go to Alabama.
The goal for the team is to find a way to win each Saturday and be the best football team. Tonight, we were able to do that. The game was great.
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