The Tennessee Volunteers hosted the Alabama Crimson Tide for their annual Third Saturday of October meeting, and the game did not disappoint.
Coming into this game Alabama had won the last 16 of the last 17 meetings, but those were mostly under coach Nick Saban, who is now a member of College Gameday as he has retired from coaching. So, with a new era at Alabama, under new head coach Kalen DeBoer, they were struggling to adjust to the new age of Alabama football. They were stunned on the road at Vanderbilt as they lost 40-35, and they got a 2-point win over South Carolina where they really struggled.
On the other hand, Tennessee’s offense had high hopes for this season but has really struggled and won most of their games off their great play on the defensive side. Their defense hadn’t let up over 20 points in a single game coming into this game, but still they were coming into this game with a loss to Arkansas.
In the first half of the game the defenses primarily dominated, as there were multiple turnovers including Jermod McCoy’s one-handed interception on a pass to college football’s youngest star Ryan Williams. But Williams was still able to score a touchdown as Alabama went up 7-0 at halftime. Due to Tennessee’s offense being shutout in the first half, this was the first time since 1963 they had 0 points going into halftime in 3 straight games.
In the second half was when the offenses woke up as Tennessee was able to tie the game on a Dylan Sampson touchdown run. Alabama was then able to respond with a field goal to make the game 10-7 Alabama. Tennessee then responded with a deep strike to wide receiver Donte Thorton to set up Dylan Sampson’s two-touchdown of the game to make it 14-10 Tennessee. Alabama then responded with a touchdown to go up 17-14. But when Tennessee needed it the most quarterback Nico Lamaleava hit Chris Brazzel for a touchdown to go up 21-17.
With a little under two minutes left Tennessee’s defense was able to get a fourth down stop to give the ball back to their offense in Alabama territory. But they needed a first down to win, and Alabama’s defense was able to hold Tennessee to a field goal and give the ball back to their offense with a minute and a half left needing a touchdown. But on the first play of the drive, quarterback Jalen Milroe threw an interception to Will Brooks which solidified the win for Tennessee.
“I’m glad to see new teams taking the top spot instead of Bama being it every year,” said junior Alex Ellis.
Many people in the college football world are glad to see that Alabama isn’t the powerhouse they have been for the past 15 years as this is the first time since 2006 that they have two losses going into the month of November.
This season has been a roller coaster as many of the top teams have taken a heartbreaking loss and with a little under half a season left, there is still a chance at more great games like this.
