Seven days after defeating rival Florida at Neyland Stadium, Tennessee football knocked off rival Alabama 24-17 on Saturday evening in a thrilling rivalry showdown. The Vols’ defense was stellar again and after another bad first half, Tennessee’s defense came alive with a strong second half.
Here’s five critical moments from Tennessee’s second win over the Crimson Tide in the last three years.
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Jermod McCoy Turns The Tide
Alabama was marching deep into Tennessee territory late in the first quarter. Facing second-and-goal at the three-yard line, the Crimson Tide went to star receiver Ryan Williams on a goal line fade.
Jermod McCoy had other ideas, finding the ball and intercepting the ball with his left hand. He then had the presence of mind to take it out of the end zone, returning it all the way to the Alabama 46-yard line. It was an early game interception but it should go down as one of the best in Tennessee history, up there with Deon Grant’s one-handed interception against the Gators in 1998.
Not only did McCoy take three or seven points off the board for Alabama, he set up Tennessee’s offense in a prime position to score points in the first quarter. Even if they couldn’t capitalize.
Man defense masterclass against mesh from Will Brooks and Boo Carter. pic.twitter.com/Rz4KHjmgeO
— Ryan Schumpert (@rschump00) October 20, 2024
A Late First Half Stop
Alabama was driving into scoring range late in the first half leading 7-0. A score of any kind felt like it would be massive as Tennessee’s offense continued to drag its feet and struggle to put points on the scoreboard.
The Crimson Tide had it first-and-10 at Tennessee’s 36-yard line after a fourth down conversion on a quarterback sneak. Tennessee flushed Jalen Milroe from the pocket on first down and his throw was inaccurate. On second down, Dominic Bailey hit Milroe as he threw and the pass fell incomplete. On third down, Bailey and Omarr Norman-Lott each pressured Milroe and forced an incompletion.
Then Graham Nicholson’s 54-yard field goal try was wide right and well short. Alabama had the chance to put Tennessee into a real hole at halftime. The Vols’ defense stood up again.
Tennessee Finally Connects
Tennessee had what felt like opportunity after opportunity to hit deep plays down the field in the first half and early in the second half. Receivers ran open and Iamaleava over shot them or the young quarterback made nice throws and the receivers couldn’t haul them in.
But it was late in the third quarter with Alabama leading 10-7 when Tennessee finally connected on a deep ball. t came at a perfect time. Facing third-and-six, Nico Iamaleava rolled right and dropped a beautiful deep ball right into Dont’e Thornton’s basket for a 55-yard completion.
Dylan Sampson punched it in from two yards out the very next play and Tennessee had its first lead of the game.
Vols Win The Field Position Battle
Alabama was back up 17-14 with Tennessee driving early in the fourth quarter. Tennessee had third-and-long at the the Crimson Tide 45-yard line when Josh Heupel and Joey Halzle drew up a beautiful speed option call that picked up 15 yards.
But a late flag and a holding call on Chris Brazzell pushed Tennessee in third-and-five. Alabama blew up the run play and Heupel played field position. The move paid off.
Jackson Ross pinned Alabama at the four-yard line and Tennessee’s defense didn’t allow a first down— the first of four straight occurrences to end the game.
Tennessee took over at its own 46-yard line following the punt and put together a seven-play, 54-yard touchdown drive for the go-ahead touchdown.
One Final Stop
It was fitting that despite its strong play in the second half, Tennessee’s offense was unable to pick up a first down to put the game away after the Vols turned the Crimson Tide over on downs deep in their own territory.
Alabama got the ball back trailing by seven points and out of timeouts with 90 seconds to play in the game. They didn’t wait long to put the game away.
Bailey pressured Milroe and the quarterback threw it just behind his intended receiver on an in-breaking route. Will Brooks jumped in front of it and made the game sealing interception against his home state team.
