TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Bryant-Denny Stadium roared to life as the crowd saw the Crimson Tide take down the Tennessee Volunteers in the third Saturday of October 37-20. The 108th meeting between these two teams ended opposite of last years matchup in Knoxville. Due to this win tonight, Alabama now has the longest winning home streak in college football, a total of 16 games.
“Bryant-Denny is our home…it’s us and the fans working together to bring that energy to make it a home field advantage” said Coach Kalen DeBoer about the home game winning streak.
The Alabama Crimson Tide had a strong performance throughout the night, converting 5/11 third downs, 373 total yards, and going 4/4 in the Red Zone. Ty Simpson threw 19/29 and two touchdowns. Alabama’s receiver room had a total of 253 yards, led by Ryan Willaims with five receptions for 87-yards. Germie Bernard had 49 yards, leading Alabama rushing. Daniel Hill had 34 yards and one touchdown. The Tides defense had four sacks and 70 total tackles. Zabien Brown had one interception which turned into a 99-yard touchdown.
“When I [hesitated] a little bit, I saw [the defender] … I can’t let him swipe me right there. I picked my knees up” said Brown when asked about high stepping the Tennessee defender he avoided.
The Volunteers ended the night with 410 yards, 10 penalties, three of them happening in first quarter, and 4/5 fourth downs. Joey Aguilar threw 28/44 for 268 yards and one interception. Braylon Staley received 92 yards and had one touchdown. DeSean Bishop had 123 yards and two touchdowns.
What Went Down
First Quarter
The Vols begin the opening drive of the game with having to punt the ball away, received by Cole Adams. The Tide successfully converts the third down for a first down to start their drive. Alabama continues to move down the field and after a huge catch by Williams, the Tide is set up in the Red Zone. After 11 plays, Isaiah Horton capitalizes on this opportunity and scores a touchdown from a completed pass from Simpson. After a five-yard penalty, Aguilar is sacked by Yhonzae Pierre for a loss of 13 yards, another unsuccessful attempt for Tennessee. The first quarter ends with Alabama in control of the ball, first down on the 39 ALA yard line. 7-0, Alabama.
Second Quarter
The second quarter begins with a false start on Alabama, pushing them back to the 34-yard line. After a timeout, Blake Doud punts the ball away due to an incomplete pass from Simpson. The Volunteers have a great start to their first drive of the quarter and a 30-yard pass from Aguilar to Staley sets the Vols up on the ALA two-yard line, leading to a touchdown on the third down, Staley receiving the scoring pass. After great defense from Tennessee, the Tide is forced to once again punt the ball away. On the Vols next drive, an intentional grounding penalty on Aguilar leads to a safety, putting the Tide up two. Lotzeir Brooks catches a 25-yard pass, setting Alabama up once again in the Red Zone. A one-yard rushing touchdown from Jam Miller increases Alabama’s lead. The Vols successfully converted two fourth downs, but Brown gets an interception and runs 99-yards for a touchdown, 23-7, Alabama.
“We know every game is going to be a heavyweight fight, no matter what in the SEC. So, we are going to take it one game at a time, one play at a time, one drive at a time and just do what we do. We are going to keep fighting and keep scratching” says Simpson.
Third Quarter
To start the second half, Alabama punts away the ball. DeSean Bishop successfully evades the Tides defense for a touchdown, but Tennessee fails to convert the two-point attempt, as it is intercepted by Dijon Lee Jr. The Tide’s second drive of the quarter is off to a better start as they complete a first down and continue to slowly move down the field. However, a fumble by Simpson allows Tennessee to get the ball, recovered by Joshua Jefferson. A fumble by Aguilar on the third down forces the Vols to punt the ball away. Starting at the one-yard line, the Tide continued to slowly move down the field and Bernard fought against the defense for 18 yards. After nine plays, Rico Scott receives a pass from Simpson for a touchdown. 30-13, Alabama.
Fourth Quarter
To start off the final quarter, Tennessee quickly moves down the field, the biggest gain, Bishop carrying for 22-yards. The Vols, after a successful third down, use their close field position, to score a touchdown, Bishop making the carry. The Tide got a first down due to a pass interference call which continued their momentum, eventually allowing Simpson to convert the Tide’s first fourth down of the night. Leading Hill to receive a touchdown pass from Simpson. Tennessee is within the ALA 30-yard line when they fail to convert fourth down, the first time tonight. After an unsuccessful Alabama drive, on the final drive of the game, the Alabama defense puts a stop to the Volunteers offense. Final score: 37-20, Alabama.
“When my opportunities came, [and] I had to make a play, [I relied on] my practice. I never got down on myself, I knew I had the ability to make a play” says Hill regarding his fourth quarter touchdown.
Looking Ahead
The Alabama Crimson Tide is now 6-1, 4-0 in conference play. On Oct. 25, they will be in South Carolina facing the Gamecocks at 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC.
