College Sports

Tennessee makes quick work of Missouri in 62-24 rout

Posted October 02, 2021 7:00 am

By JOE WALLJASPER

Tennessee running back Marcus Pierce Jr., left, scores a touchdown in front of teammate Ramel Keyton, right, during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Columbia, Mo. Tennessee won 62-24. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson) The Associated Press

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - Hendon Hooker threw for three touchdowns and ran for another as Tennessee routed Missouri 62-24, scoring touchdowns on its first six possessions Saturday.

Hooker completed 15 of 19 passes for 225 yards and rushed 14 times for 74 yards. He wasn't the only Volunteer who padded his stats against a beleaguered defense. Tiyon Evans rushed 15 times for 156 yards and three touchdowns. Tennessee (3-2, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) piled up 677 total yards and never punted.

The Volunteers built a 28-3 first-quarter lead without ever needing to run a third-down play. Among the many highlights was Evans' 92-yard touchdown run in which he ran through a massive hole on the right side and wasn't touched by a Missouri defender.

The 92-yard TD run was third-longest in program history.

The Tigers (2-3, 0-2 SEC) entered the game ranked 129th out of 130 FBS teams in rushing defense, allowing an average of 269 rushing yards per game. Tennessee had 275 rushing yards in the first half alone as it built a 45-10 lead and finished with 452 yards on the ground.

The Tennessee defense contained Missouri's big-play threat, Tyler Badie, holding the running back to 41 yards on 21 carries, and intercepted quarterback Connor Bazelak twice. The best moment for Missouri came on special teams when Kris Abrams-Draine returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter.

THE TAKEAWAY

Tennessee: Hooker, a graduate transfer from Virginia Tech, lost the preseason quarterback battle to Joe Milton, but since taking over as the starter in Game 3, he has emerged as a solid player. Hooker guided the Volunteers to scores on their first nine drives. He delivered touchdown passes of 35 yards to JaVonta Payton, 35 yards to Velus Jones Jr. and 24 yards to Cedric Tillman.

Missouri: It's been a disastrous start to the tenure of first-year defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, a former NFL head coach. After using a 4-2-5 formation the first four games, Wilks started the game in a 3-3-5 against the Volunteers, but Tennessee was not bothered in the least by the new look. Missouri's defensive line and linebackers couldn't get off blocks, allowing Tennessee running backs to get into the secondary with ease.

UP NEXT

Tennessee: The Volunteers play South Carolina at home on Oct. 9.

Missouri: The Tigers meet North Texas at home on Oct. 9.

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More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25.

Tennessee wide receiver JaVonta Payton, right, catches a touchdown pass in front of Missouri defensive back Martez Manuel, left, and Allie Green IV, center, during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson) The Associated Press

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker, right, scores a touchdown during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against Missouri Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson) The Associated Press

Tennessee running back Jabari Small, right, runs past Missouri's Jaylon Carlies, center, and Martez Manuel during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson) The Associated Press

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson) The Associated Press

Tennessee running back Jabari Small, center, is chased by Missouri defensive back Shawn Robinson, right, and Blaze Alldredge, left, during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson) The Associated Press

Tennessee running back Tiyon Evans (8) celebrates his touchdown with quarterback Hendon Hooker during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson) The Associated Press

Missouri head coach Eliah Drinkwitz grimaces as he walks the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson) The Associated Press

Missouri running back Tyler Badie, right, is tackled by Tennessee defensive back Theo Jackson during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson) The Associated Press

Missouri quarterback Connor Bazelak throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson) The Associated Press

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