Virginia Tech QB Hendon Hooker will test Miami Hurricanes defense
The Miami Hurricanes defense will be tested by Hendon Hooker one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the country when they play at Virginia Tech Saturday.
Hendon Hooker is one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the country. Hooker made the first start of his Virginia Tech career last season in a 42-35 Hokies victory at the Miami Hurricanes. Hooker was 10-20 for 184 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions and ran 16 times for 76 yards and one TD.
Hooker is a part of a Virginia Tech rushing attack that leads the conference and he is sixth personally averaging 103 yards per game. Hokies running back Khalil Herbert is second in the ACC averaging 114.7 yards per game. Javian Hawkins of Louisville who scorched Miami with 164 yards rushing and a TD leads the ACC at 117.4 YPG.
Hooker ran for 164 yards and three TDs in a win over Boston College, 156 and a TD last weekend in a loss to Liberty and 98 in a loss to Wake Forest. The Miami defense needs to keep Hooker in the pocket and make him beat them as a passer. Hooker has thrown for over 200 yards only twice this season.
In the loss to Wake Forest, Hooker threw for 223 yards but also had three interceptions. Hooker threw for 223 yards and three TDs without an INT against Liberty. The Hokies are 1-3 against FBS opponents when Hooker throws for over 200 yards in the 13 games he has started in the last two seasons.
HENDON. HOOKER. 😤 pic.twitter.com/1bYWC8M6ic
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) November 7, 2020
Hooker is third in the ACC in passing efficiency, but that is with 98 attempts which is 15th in the ACC. Only Virginia backup Lindell Stone and North Carolina State second-team QB Bailey Hockman rank behind Hooker. Hooker is averaging 19.6 attempts per game which is 12th in the ACC, just ahead of Jordan Travis of Florida State.
Miami has had trouble with running QBs this season. Travis had seven carries for 52 yards which included some not starting the play at QB. Clemson’s QB combined for 10 carries for 51 yards and a TD. Three Virginia QBs accumulated 24 carries for 137 yards. Miami has allowed 72 carries for 201 yards to QBs this season.
Next. Miami at Virginia Tech noon Saturday ESPN. dark
Rushing yards for QBs include sacks. Miami needs to contain Hooker better than they have in 2020 against the above-mentioned QBs. Hooker has a 63.1 completion percentage in his career. As Hooker’s attempts go up Virginia Tech has been more likely to lose. Making Virginia Tech pass should be the key to stopping them.