Joe Milton III was halfway to producing the same spectacular show against rival Alabama as predecessor Hendon Hooker.
Tennessee’s sixth-year senior quarterback threw for 175 yards and rushed for 43 more during the first and second quarters Saturday afternoon inside Bryant-Denny Stadium, staking the Volunteers to a 20-7 lead at the break. Milton had an attempt that was too high and hard for tight end Jacob Warren that resulted in the Vols settling for a 13-0 advantage, but he atoned for that by lofting a touch pass while under pressure to tight end McCallan Castles that resulted in a 7-yard score to restore the 13-point bulge.
The Vols were overrun in the second half as Alabama raced away with a 34-20 victory, but Milton was asked afterward whether the first 30 minutes in Tuscaloosa were his best.
“No,” he quickly replied, “because there is still more to come.”
Replacing Hooker, the most efficient quarterback in Tennessee history, was always going to be challenging and accompanied by comparisons. Milton has guided the Vols to a 5-2 record entering Saturday night’s game at Kentucky (7 on ESPN), which includes a 2-2 mark in Southeastern Conference play.