The Tennessee defense paved the way on Saturday night.
The Volunteers used a stout defensive effort to power the Vols to a 24-17 victory over No. 7 Alabama on Saturday night inside Neyland Stadium.
“I thought it was another prize fight, and you have to be able to answer the bell,” Tennessee Head Coach Josh Heupel said. “These guys answered the bell every single round. I’d go to battle with these guys any day. Just another great night on Rocky Top.”
Tennessee held Alabama to just 75 yards rushing – including holding quarterback Jalen Milroe to just 11 yards on 14 carries – and limited the Crimson Tide to 3-of-14 on third down to set the tone.
“Defensively, just absolutely an elite performance—the line of scrimmage and controlling the quarterback,” Heupel said. “We did everything we had to do going into it. Did an unbelievable job on third down.”
Tennessee struggled offensively in the first half as the Vols were held scoreless in the first half for the third consecutive game. Alabama took a 7-0 lead as Milroe found Ryan Williams for a short touchdown early in the second quarter.
“It wasn’t pretty early,” Heupel said of the first-half offensive struggles. “102,000 people saw it and we did too. It’s not that far off either and that’s why you need to appreciate it when it’s going really well. You have to be on the right side of it as a competitor, and we have to find a way to be able to start faster and be better.”
Tennessee answered the bell in the second half.
Dylan Sampson tied the game for Tennessee as he scored on a two-yard run into the checkerboard midway through the third quarter. The two-yard touchdown capped a 91-yard drive – with 84 yards coming on the ground.
Sampton finished the game with 139 yards on 26 carries with two touchdowns.
“It epitomizes him as a competitor,” Heupel said of Sampson. “He’s special. He can feel the ability to run, get out in space, and get behind his pads. We blocked a little bit cleaner in the second half, gave him an opportunity to get started, and created some plays. Resiliency from him too. He gets banged up a little bit and fumbles early but comes back and keeps competing. Huge part of the game tonight.”
The Crimson Tide regained the lead with 3:11 in the third with a 35-yard field goal, but Tennessee answered quickly.
The Vols moved quickly down the field as Sampson scored his second touchdown of the night to push the Vols to a 14-10 lead after three complete quarters.
Sampson’s touchdown was set up in part as Nico Iamaleava found Dont’e Thornton for a 55-yard gain.
Alabama scored on the ensuing drive as Justice Haynes scored on a seven-yard touchdown run with 13:56 left in the game.
Tennessee’s Chriss Brazzell II made a diving catch midway through the quarter for a touchdown to regain the lead for the Vols, and the Tennessee defense made sure it was the game-winner.
After Tennessee forced a punt and drive on downs in back-to-back series, Tennessee was able to add a Max Gilbert field goal with 1:30 left.
On the final defensive series, Will Brooks stepped in front of a Milroe pass for an interception to secure the win.
“You talk about a journey and coming out on the other side of it,” Heupel said of Brooks. “A guy that continues to invest every single day, and you reap the rewards. That will be a moment in his life where I’m sure he will tell that story to all of his grandkids and great-grandkids and anyone who will be able to listen to it. He’s a special player but also a special young man.”
Jermod McCoy also had a key interception in the first half for the Volunteers as he stopped an Alabama drive in the endzone.
Iamaleava went 14-of-27 passing for 194 yards, while Bru McCoy had 80 yards on 11 catches. Thornton had 70 receiving yards on three catches.
For Tennessee, the win comes a week after beating Florida in overtime inside Neyland Stadium.
“Joy and being on the right stride of the scoreboard each Saturday, those are two big games,” Heupel said. “Historically, our fan base, what it means to them, you know what I mean? And to our players, it’s big games because it’s league games. And understand what it means the things that you’re trying to go accomplish and what you have been working for since January.”
“You know the last two weeks on that field, it’s just really special because of what it took to find a way to be on the right side of the scoreboard. All the ups and downs, just continuing to compete, and I’m proud of the guys for that.”
