As a junior in 1973, he ended up concentrating on punting and was among college football's leaders with a 43.9 average, second in school history at the time.[2] As a senior in 1974, he averaged 41.8 yards, with a long of 59.
Facing 4th and 13 in the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams, he ran for a critical first down without informing head coachTom Landry and helped the team achieve an 18–7 upset victory.[3] He averaged 39.4 yards per punt and also completed one out of 3 passing attempts for 21 yards.
Playing in Super Bowl X with less than 12 minutes remaining in the fourth quarters, the Cowboys led 10-7 when Steelers backup running backReggie Harrison broke through the middle of the offensive line and blocked a Hoopes' punt out of the end zone for a safety, cutting the lead to 10-9. The Steelers went on to win 21-17.
On November 9, 1976, Hoopes was released mid-season after averaging 38.8 yards per punt and running from a punt formation on a fourth and 17 against the Houston Oilers.[5]
Houston Oilers
On November 12, 1976, he was signed by the Houston Oilers. On November 21, he was released after one game, for averaging only 31 yards a punt.[6]
On September 10, 1977, he was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions.[9] On September 22, he was released after one game, in which he had a punt blocked and another one returned for a touchdown.[10]
On November 20, 1982, he was signed by the Boston Breakers of the United States Football League.[13] He tore his right hamstring during mini-camp. Even though he was able to recover, he later re-injured the hamstring. He announced his retirement after the 13th game of the 1983 season. He registered 23 punts for 866 yards (37.7-yard avg.) with a long of 60 yards.
