Josh Heupel explains Joe Milton's decision on final play vs. Ole Miss

Tennessee backup quarterback Joe Milton had a narrow, but open, window to win Saturday’s game for the Vols. A poor decision on the last play of the game stopped Josh Heupel’s comeback effort short and Tennessee lost 31-26 to Ole Miss.

Needing a touchdown, Milton took off for a run with three seconds remaining. Instead of throwing the ball towards the endzone, he went out of bounds as time expired.

Vols head coach Josh Heupel discussed all the ways in which his quarterbacks prepare for moments like that missed opportunity.

“Those are things that we talk about,” Heupel said on Monday. “They see video of plays like that unfolding during the course of the offseason. We try to put quarterbacks in a position (in practice) where it is the last play or a two-play set at the end of a game.

“Our guys broke as though it was a scramble and busted out the right side. He’s got to find a way at the end of the day to get the ball into the endzone, give somebody a chance.”

Starting quarterback Hendon Hooker suffered an injury — that at the time required him needing help off the field — on the Vols’ final possession. Hooker’s injury led to Milton going into the game for his first significant snaps since Sept. 11. Milton’s completed 21 of 45 attempts for 255 yards and one score this season. Hooker is completing passes at 68% with 14 scores and one interception.

Heupel updates status of Hendon Hooker

Josh Heupel also provided an update on Tennessee’s dual-threat QB during Monday’s press conference. 

“Hendon Hooker is day-to-day at this point so we will see as the week unfolds in terms on the status of Hendon,” Heupel said. “I don’t think it’s a long-term injury but his status for this week we will know more as we go.” 

Though Joe Milton started the season, Hooker has thrived since taking over the lead signal-caller for the Volunteers. 

The 4-3 Vols need Hooker back as they stare down a rough four-week stretch. Coming up on Saturday is a matchup with No. 4 Alabama. Tennessee has a Week 9 bye but then faces No. 15 Kentucky and No. 1 Georgia in back-to-back weeks.

Before Saturday’s injury, the Virginia Tech transfer ranked fifth nationally and second in the SEC in passer rating (179.75).

Hooker, a 6-foot-4, 218-pound North Carolina native, started 15 games at Virginia Tech the past two seasons before transferring to Tennessee in January. Hooker nearly led the Vols to win versus Pitt and took over the starting role from there. With him at the controls of the offense, Tennessee has averaged 40.6 points and 492.4 yards per game.

On3’s Sean Labar contributed to this report.