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Homecoming on The Hill
Tennessee will celebrate Homecoming this weekend as the Vols host in-state foe UT Martin. The Vols are 74-20-3 all-time in Homecoming games, including nine straight wins against non-conference foes in the event.
Serving as this year's Homecoming Grand Marshals are Drew and Ellie Holcomb of the band Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors. The band will perform at the Student Union Plaza following Friday's Homecoming parade, which begins at 4 p.m. at the intersection of Todd Helton Drive and Volunteer Boulevard and will end at the Student Union. A presentation of this year's Homecoming awards will also take place at halftime of Saturday's game.
Another One Bites the Dust, Vols Continue Climbing in Polls
By taking down then No. 3/1 Alabama last Saturday, Tennessee recorded its fourth victory over a ranked opponent this season. UT is the only FBS program this season with four or more victories over AP Top 25 ranked teams at the time of meeting. It's the first time since 1998 that the Vols have defeated four or more ranked teams in a regular season and first time since 2001 if you include bowl game victories. Head coach Josh Heupel is now 5-4 against ranked teams in his two seasons leading the Big Orange.
Tennessee enters this Saturday's game ranked No. 3 in the AP Top 25, representing the program's highest ranking since it held the same spot to open the 2005 season. UT garnered 15 first-place votes in this week's poll, its first time receiving such recognition since Sept. 12, 1999.
Hooker to Hyatt, Give Them Six!
The combination of quarterback Hendon Hooker and wide receiver Jalin Hyatt proved to be an unstoppable force in last Saturday's "Third Saturday in October" rivalry win over Alabama. The duo connected six times for 207 yards and an astounding five touchdowns. Hyatt set a Tennessee program record with his five touchdown receptions, while tying the SEC record as well. He became the first Vol since Cordarrelle Patterson (219 vs. Troy in 2012) to have over 200 yards receiving in a single game.
Both Hyatt and Hooker have earned numerous weekly awards and honors following the historic performance, which helped Tennessee snap a 15-game losing streak to the Crimson Tide. Hyatt was named the national player of the week by the Walter Camp and Maxwell Awards on top of being tabbed the SEC Offensive Player of the Week. Hooker garnered recognition as both the Davey O'Brien Award National Quarterback of the Week and the Manning Award Quarterback of the Week.
Chasing Records
Hooker has elevated his game to a new level this season and is in the midst of rewriting the Tennessee record books. The redshirt senior has thrown at least one touchdown pass in 18 straight games, which is tied with Heath Shuler for the program record that was set from 1992-94. He has accounted for multiple touchdowns in 18 of his last 19 games and has thrown at least one touchdown pass in every game he has started at UT (17).
The Greensboro, N.C., native has also continued his climb on UT's career touchdown passes list, entering Saturday's contest sixth on the list with 46 TD passes, seven behind Joshua Dobbs (53) for fifth.
