TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – In 2024, after beating Georgia in a 41-34 thriller, Alabama went down to Nashville, expecting to continue its undefeated season. That did not happen, as when the clock hit 0:00, Commodore Nation stormed the field in a 40-35 thrilling victory for Vanderbilt over the top-ranked Tide. Due to this shocking upset, Alabama’s season eventually derailed and ended up 9-4–their worst record since 2007.
After going to Athens and beating Georgia again, the Crimson Tide sought revenge on Vanderbilt–the team that spoiled Kalen DeBoer’s first season as Alabama head coach.
The Alabama offense started the game with quarterback Ty Simpson throwing his first interception of the season on fourth down, with Martel Hight leaping to intercept Simpson’s pass at Vanderbilt’s seven-yard line.
Vanderbilt followed this turnover up with running back Sedrick Alexander running 65 yards through the heart of Alabama’s defense for the first score of the game.
For Alabama’s second drive, running back Jam Miller helped drive the Tide down the field, where kicker Conor Talty missed a 47-yard field goal.
Vanderbilt’s second drive looked promising until quarterback Diego Pavia got stripped by linebacker Justin Jefferson at Alabama’s eight-yard line and defensive tackle Tim Keenan III recovered the loose ball.
Alabama took advantage of Vanderbilt’s mistake, setting up Ty Simpson’s 14 yard touchdown pass to Ryan Williams on a 92 yard drive to tie the game at 7-7.
Both teams exchanged punts when Vanderbilt built together a 38 yard touchdown drive, capped off by Sedrick Alexander with 1:33 left in the first half.
Alabama responded instantly, as the Crimson Tide fiercely drove down the field where Germie Bernard was open for a 27 yard touchdown right before halftime to tie the game 14-14. Head coach Kalen DeBoer commented on the importance of this quick drive for his team.
“Yeah, it was huge,” DeBoer said. “And with our offense again, getting in a rhythm like that, I’m really proud of the fight and the belief to go down the field in a short amount of time like we had.”
To start the second half, Alabama’s defense shut down Diego Pavia, which led to Vanderbilt punting–the first punt of the game for either team. Alabama followed this up with a 38-yard field goal, taking their first lead over the Commodores at 17-14.
Alabama forced a Vanderbilt three-and-out, where DeBoer’s offense had a promising drive ruined by a sack taken by Simpson, as the Tide settled for another field goal to lead 20-14.
To start the fourth quarter, Pavia’s offense menacingly drove down the field until safety Keon Sabb snagged a crucial interception in the red zone. Coach Kalen DeBoer commented on how important these takeaways and defensive physicality have been for Alabama.
“We are kind of getting that feeling of takeaways,” Deboer said. “The physicality now, on top of that, I felt we bought today, I thought it was a positive step forward for our defense.”
When Alabama was driving, they faced a third-and-one. Vanderbilt and the whole stadium were expecting a QB sneak, but left tackle Kadyn Proctor was instead handed the ball, where he easily powered for a first down. DeBoer explained why he chose Proctor for the third-and-short play.
“Just give it to the big man and let him rumble,” DeBoer stated. “It’s just hard to bring down a guy that’s that size and athletic.”
Alabama would drain the clock as Talty hit a 30-yard field goal to put the Tide up two possessions at 23-14 with 4:08 left in the game.
The Commodores would turn the ball over on downs, as Alabama would add insult to injury with a late Jam Miller touchdown with 17 seconds left.
After defeating the Vanderbilt Commodores 30-14, the Crimson Tide moves to 4-1 on the season, and a perfect 2-0 start in conference play. Next week, Alabama will travel to Columbia to face the undefeated 19th-ranked Missouri Tigers.
