Excuse the delay in getting this article up. A cigar had to be smoked.
And that’s because, for the second straight time, the Tennessee Vols defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide inside the friendly confines of Neyland Stadium, this time coming away with a hard-fought 24-17 win.
It wasn’t pretty at times. I mean, it was downright ugly for half the contest. But in the end, the Vols came away on top of their interstate rivals thanks to some huge throws and a steady run game that’s been showing up after halftime.
Nico Iamaleava finished 14/27 for 194 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Bru McCo led all receivers with 6 catches for 80 yards. But it was Dylan Sampson again carrying the freight for the Tennessee offense, going for 139 yards on 26 carries with two more rushing touchdowns, putting him at 17 on the year.
The Vols trailed 7-0 at the half. I’m sure you all saw it, and if you didn’t, it was ugly enough to not be relived. It was the third straight first half shutout for the Vols’ offense, which marked the first time that had happened since the 1960s.
But, as they’ve done the last three games, the team flipped a switch after the half and came to life in the second half. And how did they on Saturday.
After trading punts to open the second half, Tennessee went 91 yards in 7 plays to finally get on the scoreboard and tie the game at 7. Alabama put together a 10-play drive to regain the lead at 10-7. But Tennessee’s offense had gotten into a groove, and they went 75 yards on 5 plays the next drive for a 14-10 lead on Sampson’s second score of the game.
The back and forth would continue the following drive, with Alabama answering again with a 7-yard touchdown run by Justice Haynes early in the fourth quarter to regain the lead at 17-14.
Finally, with under 6 minutes left, the Vols would reclaim the lead for good. After a day of misfires, Nico lofted a perfect ball into the back of the end zone, and Chris Brazzell II made an incredible diving catch for the score.
With the Vols up 21-17, the Neyland Stadium crowd turned it up a notch or two, and the Alabama offense wilted. In their final three drives, they went 3 plays for -2 yards, 4 plays for 1 yard, and then 1 play that ended on a game-ending pick by Will Brooks.
It was an amazing win, and one that will be celebrated long into the night in Knoxville. Two straight weeks against Florida and Alabama, two big, thrilling wins.
The Vols have a bye next week before taking on Kentucky on November 2 at Neyland Stadium.