Despite being held scoreless in the first half for the third straight game, No. 11 Tennessee rallied in the second half to beat No. 7 Alabama for the second time in three seasons.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Despite being held scoreless in the first half for the third straight game, No. 11 Tennessee rallied in the second half to beat No. 7 Alabama for the second time in three seasons.
Tennessee’s defense set the tone early, forcing a three-and-out on Alabama’s first drive of the game. The Vols quickly marched down the field with a 20 yard pass from Nico Iamaleava to Bru McCoy. Dylan Sampson broke through to the red zone, but fumbled inside the red zone to give the ball back to the Tide.
The Tide had a great opportunity to take the lead with the ball on Tennessee’s three-yard line, but Jalen Milroe’s pass was intercepted by Jermod McCoy who returned it 54 yards to the Alabama 46-yard line.
However, Tennessee’s offense couldn’t put up any points to show for it as the Vols were forced to go for a 53-yard field goal and Max Gilbert missed.
Alabama then took the lead on its next offensive drive. Milroe found Ryan Williams in the end zone on a five-yard pass to give the Tide a 7-0 lead with 13 minutes left in the opening half.
On Tennessee’s following drive, Iamaleava was injured as he fell awkwardly after taking a hit from an Alabama defender. Gaston Moore replaced Iamaleava at quarterback and threw an interception on his first snap.
However, the Tennessee defense was able to get the stop and Iamaleava was back on the field for the next drive. The Vols reached the 19-yard line and were in prime position to put some points on the board, but Iamaleava threw an interception to Jaylen Mbakwe to give the ball back to the Tide.
Tennessee, once again, got bailed out by its defense and quickly forced Alabama’s offense off the field. The Vols moved into Alabama territory and Gilbert had a 50-yard try, but once again it went wide and Tennessee left points on the field.
For the third straight game, the Vols were held scoreless in the first half.
And for the third straight game, Dylan Sampson opened up the scoring for the Vols. Sampson led a seven play, 91-yard drive, capped off with a two-yard touchdown run from the junior back to tie the game 7-7 late in the third quarter.
Alabama regained the lead on a 35-yard field goal from Graham Nicholson. The Tide were forced to settle for three points after Rickey Gibson had a great play on 3rd-and-13 to stop the Tide from reaching the endzone.
Tennessee then took its first lead of the game thanks to a 55-yard pass from Nico Iamaleava to Dont’e Thornton to set the Vols up at the three-yard line. Sampson then ran it in for the go-ahead touchdown to give Tennessee a 14-10 lead.
The Crimson Tide responded instantly with a 75-yard drive punctuated by a 7-yard touchdown run by Justice Haynes to give them a 17-14 lead early in the fourth quarter.
Tennessee was stymied on the ensuing drive before punter Jackson Ross pinned Alabama inside the five yard line. Alabama went three-and-out and the Vols took over possession on their own 46-yard line after the punt.
After a defensive holding call on third down extended the drive, Iamaleava connected with Chris Brazzell II on a 16-yard touchdown pass to give Tennessee a 21-17 lead with just under six minutes remaining.
A third-down sack by James Pearce Jr. forced Alabama to punt the ball away with 4:39 left in the contest. Alabama’s defense forced their own three-and-out to give the Crimson Tide offense the ball with 2:25 remaining.
Alabama wide receiver Kendrick Law committed a personal foul to set up a 4th and 22. Justice Haynes only able to gain 13 yards on a screen pass and Tennessee took over possession at the Alabama 31-yard line.
Tennessee was thwarted on three straight run plays to set up a 41-yard field goal attempt that was converted by Gilbert.
Alabama’s drive began on their own 25-yard line but it didn’t last long with Will Brooks intercepting Milroe on the first play.
Iamaleava kneeled the ball to secure Tennessee’s second win over Alabama in three seasons and their 40th win all-time in the rivalry.