HENDON HOOKER

Mitchell Fineran kicked a 39-yard field goal in overtime and Purdue finished off its best season since 2003 by overcoming a 14-point deficit and beating Tennessee 48-45 on Thursday in a record-setting Music City Bowl.

Top-ranked Georgia and No. 3 Alabama appear headed for a showdown in the Southeastern Conference championship game.

Bryce Young passed for 371 yards and two touchdowns and ran for two more scores, carrying No. 4 Alabama to a 52-24 victory over traditional rival Tennessee.

Georgia and Alabama could be heading for another showdown in the Southeastern Conference championship game.

The rich got even richer in the Southeastern Conference when the transfer floodgates opened wide.

Hendon Hooker #2 of the Virginia Tech Hokies rushes in the first half during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium on November 29, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)BLACKSBURG, Va. – In a post to Instagram, Virginia Tech quarterback Hendon Hooker announced Thursday that he would be leaving Virginia Tech. Hooker also passed for 2,984 yards and 22 touchdowns in his time at Virginia Tech. Thursday afternoon, Herbert announced on Twitter that he would be declaring for the NFL draft. In one season at Virginia Tech, he rushed for 1,182 yards and 8 touchdowns.

Hendon Hooker #2 of the Virginia Tech Hokies rushes in the first half during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium on November 29, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)BLACKSBURG, Va. – The man who started seven of the Hokies’ 11 games this season will not be back in Blacksburg for the 2021 football season. Hendon Hooker announced Thursday that he will enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. In addition to starting seven games this season, in 2019, he started eight of the team’s 13 games. A Greensboro, North Carolina native, threw for 2,894 yards with 22 TDs and 7 interceptions, while rushing for 1,033 yards and 15 TDs during his time in Blacksburg.

BLACKSBURG, Va. – Virginia Tech is coming off of a much-needed bye, straight into the front lines of the No. But the Tigers have every weapon they need to win a football game. “They do a lot from different personnel groups to sub-packages, they’re playing a little more 3 downs, great job of mixing it up and getting it all taught,” Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente said. But Virginia Tech, notorious for their resiliency after a loss, has a shot to potentially scramble Clemson out of the college football playoffs. “At the end of the day we’re out there playing football, I don’t see a difference between this game and any other game,” Hooker finished.

Pittsburgh, PA. – Senior quarterback Kenny Pickett threw for 404 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another in his final start at Heinz Field as shorthanded Pittsburgh rolled past Virginia Tech 47-14. The Panthers (5-4, 4-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) were missing 16 players due to COVID-19 protocols. “Disappointed we didn’t get more stops, disappointed we couldn’t convert on 3rd and short and 4th and short. Had the one turnover but couldn’t get things in the endzone, score points, convert on short yardage and defensively had a hard time getting pressure on the quarterback, " Hokies coach Justin Fuente said. The Hokies look to bounce back from this loss as they take on the Clemson Tigers on Dec. 5 at Lane Stadium.

Miami quarterback D'Eriq King passes during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool)

D’Eriq King threw for 255 yards and a touchdown and ran for a score, rallying the Hurricanes to a 25-24 victory over Virginia Tech on Saturday. Miami announced it had 13 players unavailable before the game, including three starters and several offensive linemen. Hendon Hooker paced Virginia Tech, throwing for 201 yards and rushing for 53 yards and a touchdown. “I hurt for them,” Virginia Tech coach Justin Fuente said of his players. Virginia Tech: The Hokies travel to Pittsburgh — if the Panthers are ready to play.

The Virginia Tech Hokies lost to the Miami Hurricanes with a score of 25-24. In the first quarter, Hooker completed a 53-yard rushing touchdown for the Hokies. Then, running back Jalen Holston made an 8-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter. In the second quarter, The Hurricanes made their first touchdown of the game as quarterback D’Eriq King completed a 10-yard rushing touchdown. In the third quarter, the Hokies completed a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Holston.

Liberty's CJ Yarbrough catches a touchdown pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech, Saturday, Nov. 7 2020, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool)

25 Liberty to a 38-35 victory over Virginia Tech. But officials ruled that Virginia Tech had called a timeout before the kick. “I’ve always done this,” Virginia Tech coach Justin Fuente said. Hendon Hooker paced Virginia Tech, throwing for 217 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 156 yards and a touchdown. Virginia Tech: The Hokies play Miami at home on Saturday.

The Liberty Flames defeated the Virginia Tech Hokies by a score of 38-35. The Flames started the game off scoring in the first quarter with a Malik Willis 32-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver CJ Yarbrough. In the second quarter, Liberty scored again with a 2-yard touchdown pass from Willis to tight end Jerome Jackson. In response to the Liberty touchdown, Virginia Tech quarterback Hendon Hooker completed a 3-yard touchdown pass to tight end Nick Gallo. Then in the fourth quarter, Willis extended the Liberty lead to eight points with a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Johnny Huntley.

25 in the AP Poll, they head straight into one of the toughest battles on their schedule at Virginia Tech. “They’re bigger, faster, stronger and deeper,” Liberty head coach Hugh Freeze said. Tech is averaging 290 yards a game, Liberty just 35 yards less. “Being able to run the ball is something we take pride in,” Liberty offensive lineman Thomas Sargeant said. “If we can’t run the ball, the offense is only one dimensional.”“Their running backs are big and powerful, some are small and fast,” Virginia Tech Head Coach Justin Fuente said.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Virginia Tech Hokies are leading the Louisville Cardinals with a score of 21-14 at halftime. Quarterback Hendon Hooker completed a 6-yard rushing touchdown and then another 3-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter. In the second quarter, Hooker made a 1-yard rushing touchdown. The Cardinals answered back in the second quarter as quarterback Malik Cunningham completed a 14-yard touchdown pass to tight end Marshon Ford. Near the end of the second quarter, running back Javian Hawkins completed a 90-yard rushing touchdown.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Virginia Tech Hokies lost to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons by a score of 23-16. The Deacons quarterback Sam Hartman completed a 9-yard rushing touchdown, while kicker Nick Sciba completed a 41-yard field goal. The Hokies answered back with a field goal in the second quarter as kicker Brian Johnson successfully made a 28-yard field goal to cut the deficit. Late in the second quarter, Wake Forest ended the tie by scoring a 6-yard rushing touchdown by running back Kenneth Walker III. In the third quarter, the Deacs kept themselves in the lead as kicker Nick Sciba completed a 46-yard field goal.

BLACKSBURG, Va. – Virginia Tech bounced back from a loss at North Carolina last week, earning a lopsided home win over Boston College on Saturday, 40-14. Virginia Tech is starting to get most of its key pieces back to full strength. 23 Virginia Tech’s 40-14 victory over Boston College. “Just awfully proud of our coaches and players bouncing back,” Virginia Tech coach Justin Fuente said. • Hooker’s second-quarter touchdown pass marked his third passing touchdown of the season and the 16th of his career.

BLACKSBURG, Va. – According to Hendon Hooker, his dynamic compared to his roommate Khalil Herbert is a little underwhelming. A modest answer from the quarterback predicted to start on Saturday against a Boston College team that is surely looking to stop the duo. “From what I’ve seen on tape, they play extremely hard, they swarm to the ball, they’re strong and firm upfront,” Hooker added. I’ve seen several blitzers bounce off of him, kind of a Ben Roethlisberger type. A guy that’s so big and strong, sometimes those guys have a hard time getting him down.”The next challenge awaits Saturday in Lane Stadium.

North Carolina running back Javonte Williams (25) scores a touchdown against Virginia Tech during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

19 Virginia Tech. 19 Virginia Tech 56-45 on Saturday. Khalil Herbert ran for 138 yards and two touchdowns for Virginia Tech (2-1, 2-1), which again played shorthanded due to coronavirus and injury issues. “North Carolina’s explosive on offense,” Virginia Tech coach Justin Fuente said. Things got closer, but the Tar Heels rolled with an offense that looked equally as prolific whether throwing or running.

DURHAM, NC – The Virginia Tech Hokies are leading the Duke Blue Devils 10-7 at halftime in Durham, North Carolina. The Hokies are playing the game without 21 players and 2 full-time coaches, including their top 4 defensive backs, due to the effects of COVID-19. The Blue Devils lone touchdown came off a fumbled punt return by the Hokies Tayvion Robinson, which was returned for a touchdown by Duke. The Hokies committed their second turnover of the game, an interception, with under 2 minutes remaining in the first half. The defense has held Duke to under 100 yards of offense in the first half and has tallied 4 sacks.

BLACKSBURG, Va. – Short-handed Virginia Tech beat NC State 45-24 on Saturday. Before the game, it was announced that Virginia Tech would be without 23 players due to injury and undisclosed reasons, including starting quarterback Hendon Hooker and starting defensive back Jermaine Waller. The Hokies took a 17-0 lead 7:49 into the game on a 46-yard field goal by Brian Johnson, a 37-yard touchdown run by Khalil Herbert and an 8-yard touchdown run by Raheem Blackshear. Johnson then gave Virginia Tech a 37-10 lead on a pair of third-quarter field goals. Virginia Tech all but put the game away with 8:56 remaining, when Patterson scored on a 1-yard touchdown run and a successful 2-point conversion gave the Hokies a 45-17 lead.

BLACKSBURG, Va. - BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) - Bud Foster has been an assistant coach at Virginia Tech for 33 seasons, and before the Hokies' game against No. 19 Wake Forest, the athletic department honored the retiring defensive coordinator for his accomplishments and years of service. Foster's defense throttled Wake Forest's high-scoring attack, and Hendon Hooker led an offense that got into the act, too, to help the Hokies beat the Demon Deacons 36-17 on Saturday. Wake Forest quarterback Jamie Newman completed just 16 of 35 passes for 238 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. "They probably covered us the best a team has covered us all year," Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson said.

(AP) - Ian Book delivered the type of clutch, game-winning drive that can make Notre Dame fans forgive the quarterbacks' mistakes. After getting blown out at Michigan last week, Notre Dame faced some harsh criticism. After two incomplete passes, Notre Dame caught Virginia Tech in a blitz and Book ran away from it and darted into the end zone. "Just a lot of grit and perseverance," Notre Dame tight end Cole Kmet said. "It's a tough locker room in there," Virginia Tech coach Justin Fuente said.

16 Notre Dame looking in the rear-view mirror when it has danger lurking Saturday in a visit from red-hot Virginia Tech. The reality is that Notre Dame (5-2) will try to salvage a season that once had high promise. "I know that we will see the Notre Dame team that we saw in all the weeks before that," Fuente said. The Irish, meanwhile, managed just 47 rushing yards on 31 carries against the Wolverines after rushing for a season-high 311 yards against USC. 6 Irish won 45-23 behind Book's 271 passing yards and Dexter Williams' 178 rushing yards, including a 97-yard TD run.

Members of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets celebrate with the players following the 6 overtime victory against the North Carolina Tar Heels. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images)BLACKSBURG, Va. - Quincy Patterson's two-point conversion run in the sixth overtime lifted Virginia Tech a wild 43-41 victory over North Carolina on Saturday in the longest game in ACC history. In the fifth overtime, Virginia Tech (5-2, 2-2 ACC) had the ball first, but Patterson's pass to Damon Hazelton was broken up by the Tar Heels' Storm Duck, giving the Tar Heels an opportunity to win the game. The Tar Heels received the ball first, but quarterback Sam Howell was tackled for a loss, setting up Patterson's game-winning conversion. Virginia Tech: The Hokies are off next Saturday and return to action Nov. 2 at No.

BLACKSBURG, Va. - BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) - Hendon Hooker threw three touchdown passes and Virginia Tech fought back feisty Rhode Island for a 34-17 victory Saturday. The Hooker-to-Hazleton connection almost teamed up for a third first-half score, but Hazleton dropped what looked like a sure 71-yard scoring pass before halftime. His scoring toss to Keene was his fourth to the tight end in the past two games. A 2-point conversion made it a three-point game, but Hooker drove the Hokies 93 yards to Keene's touchdown on the next series. The Hokies remain at Lane Stadium to face Coastal Division rival North Carolina next Saturday.

BLACKSBURG, Va. - Virginia Tech took home it's second straight game today Rhode Island, 34-17 at Lane Stadium. Virginia Tech quarterback, Hendon Hooker, threw three touchdown passes. It was overall a clean game with no turnovers. Virginia Tech looks to take home it's third straight win when they play North Carolina next week back in Blacksburg. Copyright 2019 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.

MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 05: Alan Tisdale #34 of the Virginia Tech Hokies celebrates with teammates after defeating the Miami Hurricanes 42-35 at Hard Rock Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)BLACKSBURG, Va. - It's a goal that Virginia Tech tries to meet each week -- be a consistent football team. Last week, the Hokies were challenged by the coaching staff and responded with a big road win over Miami. "Push, push and push and strain our bodies and minds to not stoop to a complacent level and just keep striving to get better," Hooker said. The Hokies' secondary is coming off one of its strongest performances also, where it forced four first-quarter turnovers.

- Virginia Tech beat the University of Miami 42-35 on the road in Miami. It all came down to the last few minutes of the game, when Miami tied up the score 42-35. Virginia Tech was able to turn it around with a touchdown at the last minute. Miami threw four interceptions and had five turnovers during the game. Copyright 2019 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.