Hooker suffers non-contact injury in loss to South Carolina

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker was unable to finish Saturday night's 63-38 loss against South Carolina after suffering an apparent non-contact leg injury.

The star signal-caller went down awkwardly after attempting to change direction in the backfield on a fourth-quarter play. Hooker exited to the medical tent before limping to the locker room.

Hooker threw for 247 yards with three touchdowns and zero interceptions before suffering the injury.

Joe Milton finished the game at quarterback in relief of Hooker. Milton completed four passes for 108 yards with a passing score.

Hooker played himself into Heisman candidacy after launching Tennessee to a 9-1 start. The senior had thrown for 24 touchdowns and two interceptions while accumulating 405 yards and five rushing scores on the ground before Saturday's game against the Gamecocks.

Saturday's loss drops the Volunteers to 9-2, casting doubt over their College Football Playoff hopes.