Alabama vs. Tennessee score: Vols clutch late as Tide drop two games before November for first time since 2007

Tennessee's College Football Playoff path wide open 

Tennessee put itself behind the 8-ball with its Week 6 loss to Arkansas, but with Saturday's win, the Vols are back in control of their own destiny. The schedule certainly opens up from here. 

The Vols have a bye next week to get healthy, emotionally recover from the huge win and get their minds right for a crucial close. Then, they return to the field for two straight home games against Kentucky and Mississippi State. 

Road tests against No. 5 Georgia and Vanderbilt will be tough to overcome, but so long as Tennessee at least splits those games,Tennessee can feel good about its odds of making a 12-team College Football Playoff. Winning out would obviously put the Vols firmly in the field, with a shot at the SEC Championship Game to boot. 

Tennessee's defense is championship quality 

Tennessee silenced any remaining doubters about its defensive capability Saturday evening. The Vols have been elite on that side of the ball all year, but Alabama was without a doubt their biggest test thus far. Tim Banks' unit passed with flying colors. 

Alabama was held to its lowest point total all year. This was also the first time all season that the Crimson Tide, who had 75 yards on the ground as a team, failed to rush for at least 100 yards. Alabama didn't have a single play above 30 yards and only two of the Crimson Tide's offensive touches went for at least 20 yards. 

But it was Tennessee's clutch factor that really stood out. The Vols answered just about every time they were called upon to do so. Cornerback Jermod McCoy, who stamped himself as one of the best defenders in the SEC, set the tone early with a one-handed interception on an Alabama second-and-goal end zone shot. 

There was also the fourth-and-22 stop near the end of the game, and Will Brooks' interception that officially sealed the deal for Tennessee, but the Vols had plenty of moments in between where they kept the game from swinging too far in Alabama's favor. 

Iamaleava puts it together in the second half 

Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava hasn't been great since SEC play began. The first half against Alabama was a microcosm of the mistakes that have plagued him all season. He overthrew at least two wide receivers on would-be deep touchdowns. He also threw an ill-advised interception on first-and-10 from Alabama's 19-yard line, bungling Tennessee's best scoring opportunity over the first 30 minutes. 

But the second half served as a showcase of the talents that made him one of the highest-rated recruits in the 2023 Class, and one of the most ballyhooed quarterbacks to ever sign with the Vols. It may have also been the turning point that he needed to finish the second half of the year on a high note. 

He still had a couple of misses, but Iamaleava did a much better job of dialing in the deep ball. His 55-yard completion to wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr., which he dropped right in the bucket, allowed running back Dylan Sampson to score a 3-yard touchdown late in the third quarter that gave the Vols their first lead of the game. 

Iamaleava hit on the biggest throw of his career midway through the fourth quarter. Facing third-and-5 from Alabama's 16-yard line, down 17-14, Iamaleava delivered a dime to wide receiver Chris Brazzell in the end zone. Brazzell did his part with a phenomenal diving catch, giving the Vols a decisive lead that they did not surrender over the last nine minutes. 

Iamaleava finished the game with 14 completions for 197 yards and that crucial touchdown. More importantly, he didn't turn the ball over in the last 30 minutes. He wasn't perfect, but this is a game that the young gunslinger can build on after a rough start to his SEC career. 

Alabama's sloppy play sets it back again 

Alabama's sloppiness issues reappeared against the Vols as bad mistakes and penalties stacked up. Jalen Milroe's endzone interception took sure points off the board, but it was the first-half penalties that would have made Nick Saban's skin crawl. The Tide had 10 penalties in the first half, the second-most in a first half in the last 20 seasons for Alabama.

It's not necessarily a new trend at Alabama --  there were sloppiness issues at the end of the Saban era, too --  but you keep waiting on this Tide team to figure it out and play more like the version we saw in the first half against Georgia. Instead, the team that jumped on the Bulldogs for a 28-0 first half lead feels more and more like an aberration. Alabama needs the Milroe, who looked like a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender against Georgia, to make a return as soon as possible.

Tennessee holds on for crucial win 

No. 11 Tennessee surged from behind late and held on for a huge 24-17 win against No. 7 Alabama Saturday evening. The Vols erased a 7-0 deficit, and shook off their third straight game without scoring in the second half, to rally and earn their first top-10 win of the year. 

Every time Tennessee needed an answer, it was the defense that stepped up. With 1:53 left in the fourth quarter, Alabama lined up to go for it on fourth-and-22 from its own 18-yard line. The Crimson Tide ran a quick screen to running back Justice Haynes, but he was corralled well short of the sticks by a host of orange jerseys. 

That allowed Tennessee to tack on a 41-yard field goal from kicker Max Gilbert, expanding its lead to a touchdown and putting the pressure on Alabama to drive down the field. On the first play of what served as Alabama's final drive, Tennessee defensive back Will Brooks jumped in front of a Jalen Milroe pass and intercepted the ball. 

With Alabama out of timeouts, the Vols were able to kneel the clock out and pick up their second straight home win against Alabama. 

• This is the first time since 2007 -- Nick Saban's first year in charge at Alabama -- that the Crimson Tide have lost two regular season games before the calendar hit November. 
• This is also the first season since 1984 that Alabama has lost to Vanderbilt and Tennessee in the same year. 
• Tennessee is now 2-41 in its last 43 regular season games against AP top-10 opponents. Both of those wins came at home against Alabama. 
• Tennessee's defense has now held eight consecutive opponents under 20 points, dating back to last season's Citrus Bowl win against Iowa. 

Tennessee tacks on to lead 

Late 4Q: No. 11 Tennessee 24, No. 7 Alabama 17 

Tennessee kicker Max Gilbert tacked onto the Vols' lead with a 41-yard field goal. Tennessee did have a chance to win the game with a first down, but the coaching staff opted for the points on fourth-and-2. With how Tennessee's defense has played, it's hard to blame them. That being said, Alabama will have 1:30 to at least tie the game, though the Crimson Tide are left without any timeouts. 

Tennessee defense comes up huge again 

Late 4Q: No. 21 Tennessee 21, No. 7 Alabama 17 

Tennessee's defense deserves a massive steak dinner. Alabama inexplicably decided to go for it on fourth-and-22 from its own territory and the Vols were all over the attempt, tackling running back Justice Haynes well short of the line to gain. Now Tennessee can bleed the clock and at least kick a field goal to make this extremely difficult for Alabama. A first down ends the game. 

Tennessee with a prime opportunity 

Tennessee's defense just came up with the biggest stop of the game. Vols edge rusher James Pearce Jr. timed the snap perfectly and got into the backfield to sack Jalen Milroe on third-and-long. Alabama was forced to punt, down 21-17 with just over four minutes left to play. At the very least, Tennessee now has a prime opportunity to eat some time off the clock. Any points would be massive. 

Redemption for Brazzell 

Late 4Q: No. 11 Tennessee 21, No. 7 Alabama 17 

Tennessee wide receiver Chris Brazzell hasn't had the best day. He's had a couple drops and penalties that set Tennessee behind the chains. But all of that is forgiven now. The transfer from Tulane just delivered the catch of the day to put his team back up late against Alabama. On third-and-5 from Alabama's 16-yard line, Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava lofted a beautiful pass to the end zone and Brazzell made a diving catch to secure the throw before falling out of bounds. 

Alabama still has plenty of time to retake the lead, and it's hard to discount any result at this point, but momentum is fully back on Tennessee's side. 

Alabama's defense holds 

Early 4Q: No. 7 Alabama 17, No. 11 Tennessee 14 

Tennessee had a promising drive going, converting two third-and-shorts to move the ball into Alabama territory. It also looked as if the Vols made it past the sticks on third-and-10, but a holding call moved the ball back to third-and-5. There, Alabama smothered a rushing attempt from running back Dylan Sampson and forced a huge stop. Tennessee punter Jackson Ross' kick did land inside the 5-yard line, so it's not going to be easy for Alabama, but the Crimson Tide do have a prime opportunity to take some air out of this game. 

Alabama strikes back

4Q: No. 7 Alabama 17, No. 11 Tennessee 14

Justice Haynes easily runs into the end zone through a wide open running lane to re-take the lead for Alabama. Germie Bernard, who is really coming alive for the Tide in the second half, powers the drive with two catches for 35 yards. 

Vol fans going wild 

It has gotten very loud inside Neyland Stadium to the point you can feel shaking inside the press box. That Nico 55-yard pass has the crowd rocking in here. 

Tennessee up after three

Lat 3Q: No. 11 Tennessee 14, No. 7 Alabama 10

Tennessee might just be a second-half team. The Vols' offense is firing on all cylinders, and they just answered a long Alabama scoring drive with a huge possession of their own. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava finally hit on a downfield shot, dropping a perfect pass right into wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr.'s arms for a gain of 55 yards on third-and-6. 

Running back Dylan Sampson collected his second touchdown of the night one play later, racing right through the middle of Alabama's defense from three yards out. Momentum is right back on Tennessee's side with this game getting into the late stages. 

Alabama is driving, though. The Crimson Tide benefitted from a face mask penalty to get the ball near midfield, and then Jalen Milroe somehow threw out of a dangerous sack. Alabama needs at least a touchdown, while Tennessee's defense will be called upon to get its biggest stop of the game. The Vols have done a good job of answering the bell thus far, but they've also been on the field for a while. 

Tide takes lead

3Q: No. 7 Alabama 10, No. 11 Tennessee 7

Alabama takes a third quarter lead on a 35-yard Graham Nicholson field goal. After going heavy on the run game for its first second half offensive drive, Alabama opts for a pass-heavy approach to move the ball down the field. Milroe had completions of 12 yards, 18 yards and 12 yards and benefited from Germie Bernard drawing a pass interference call. 

McCoy down for Tennessee

Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy suffered an apparent injury late in the third quarter of Saturday's game against Alabama. He made a tackle on Crimson Tide tight end CJ Dippre and was slow to get up after the play. McCoy missing any time would be a huge blow for Tennessee's defense. He's been the Vols' best defender all year, and had a highlight-worthy one-handed interception earlier in the game that slammed the door on a goal-to-go opportunity for Alabama. 

Can Milroe, Tide offense volley?

Interesting drive here for Alabama with the game now tied. Tide had a lot of success last drive with the running game -- running it eight straight times before a punt -- but it needs more from Jalen Milroe to get this offense humming at full capacity. To this point, it has been a sloppy game for the Tide's offensive leader. 

Tennessee finally breaks through 

Mid 3Q: No. 11 Tennessee 7, No. 7 Alabama 7 

Tennessee has had excellent opportunities to score today, and completely whiffed on them. Turns out all the Vols needed was their worst field position of the game. Tennessee took over on its own 9-yard line after a huge stop against Alabama and then leaned on the run game to create its first and-goal situation. From there, running back Dylan Sampson plunged in from two yards out to break the seal for the Vols. Sampson carried the ball on five of seven plays during that drive and had runs that covered 13 yards and 36 yards. 

Key drive to open the second half 

Tennessee has to get something going offensively. The Vols have had their opportunities, with plenty of drives that ended in Alabama territory, but they couldn't get out of their own way. Two red-zone turnovers over the first 30 minutes were inexcusable. A good drive to open the third quarter puts all of that in the rearview mirror, though, and changes the game's dynamic. 

Missed FG

Halftime: Alabama 7, Tennessee 0

Alabama kicker Graham Nicholson missed a 54-yard field goal after 12-play drive results in zero points. Alabama's offense looks shaky, sloppy and prone to penalties in what has been an ugly first half inside Neyland Stadium. Jalen Milroe finished the half 15 of 27 for 127 yards, one touchdown and one interception. 

Alabama leads after first-half slugfest 

Half: No. 7 Alabama 7, No. 11 Tennessee 0 

Alabama may have a lead after one half of play, but as the score indicates, it certainly hasn't been pretty. Tennessee couldn't get out of its own way over the first 30 minutes. The Volunteers only punted once, while their other drives ended in, respectively: a fumble, missed field goal, interception, interception and a missed field goal. Both of those missed field goals were after otherwise promising drives stalled in Alabama territory. The second interception came after Tennessee moved the ball all the way to Alabama's 19-yard line. 

This is the third straight game that Tennessee has failed to score a single point in the first half. That hasn't happened since 1963, and all three games have come against SEC opponents. 

Not that Alabama put together a pretty half of football. The Crimson Tide forced three turnovers and weren't able to turn any of those into points. Quarterback Jalen Milroe threw an interception on second-and-goal inside Tennessee's 5-yard line. Kalen DeBoer's squad was also penalized 10 times for 73 yards. Alabama missed a 54-yard field goal near the end of the first half that would have given it a two-possession lead. 

Instead, the Crimson Tide have a narrow advantage. The Vols will get the ball to start the second half, with a chance to change the game's dynamic. 

Another missed opportunity for Vols 

Late 2Q: No. 7 Alabama 7, No. 11 Tennessee 0 

Tennessee benefitted from a personal foul on Alabama to to get the ball all the way to the Crimson Tide's 35-yard line. There, the Vols ran twice for a gain of three yards and then had a pass swatted down at the line of scrimmage. Kicker Max Gilbert came on for a 50-yard field -- his second try of at least 50 yards Saturday -- and missed wide right again. Now Alabama is driving near the end of the first half, with a chance to build on its lead. 

Tennessee can't get out of its own way 

Late 2Q: No. 7 Alabama 7, No. 11 Tennessee 0 

Tennessee had something cooking. Nico Iamaleava came back from an injury and looked revitalized, delivering nice strikes to the likes of Bru McCoy and Chris Brazzell while scrambling to keep the chains moving. The Vols got it all the way to Alabama's 19-yard line, where Iamaleava made a horrible decision and promptly threw an interception to Alabama's Jaylen Mbakwe. Iamaleava's arm was hit on the roll-out, but that's a pass that he has to get rid of. Another scoring opportunity goes by for Tennessee, which is only hurting itself at this point. 

Nico briefly leaves game

2nd Q: Alabama 7, Tennessee 0 

Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava left the game after taking a hit while scrambling, immediately headed toward the injury tent. His replacement, Gaston Moore, then threw an interception on his first pass to Tide defender Malachi Moore. Nico did return on Tennessee's next offensive drive, though, and completed a pass on his first attempt post-injury. 

Alabama strikes first

2nd Q: Alabama 7, Tennessee 0

On his eighth target already, Ryan Williams scores the first points of the day on a 5-yard touchdown catch. Jalen Milroe looks clearly committed to feeding Williams early and often Saturday against Tennessee. Williams now has four catches for 41 yards and the touchdown. Alabama's offense has clearly come alive against Tennessee's defense and this game could easily be 14-0 if Milroe doesn't throw an endzone interception. 

Ugly first quarter comes to an end 

End 1Q: No. 7 Alabama 0, No. 11 Tennessee 0 

Remember the offensive shootout of 2022? Well, it's looking like this Third Saturday in October is trending in an entirely different direction. It was an ugly first quarter between Alabama and Tennessee, who both bungled prime scoring opportunities. Tennessee had a drive that almost reached the red zone cut short by a fumble and missed a 53-yard field goal on fourth-and-3 from Alabama's 37-yard line. 

The Crimson Tide weren't without their own crucial mistakes. Quarterback Jalen Milroe threw an interception on second-and-goal inside Tennessee's 5-yard line to shut the door on Alabama's only realistic scoring chance. Both defenses have played well, but each team is shooting itself in the foot with crucial mistakes. One team has to put it together at some point, right? 

Ugly game so far

1st Q: Alabama 0, Tennessee 0 

We don't exactly have a beauty contest breaking out here inside Neyland Stadium. Jalen Milroe threw a bad interception. Nico Iamaleava has been off and missed at least one seemingly surefire touchdown. Both these teams came in looking wobbly and that's mostly held true so far with less than 2 minutes left in the first quarter here. 

Vols can't capitalize 

Late 1Q: No. 7 Alabama 0, No. 11 Tennessee 0

In a story that's become all-too familiar this year, Tennessee's offense was unable to capitalize off of a huge defensive play. The Vols even got a free first down on a defensive pass interference call against Alabama, but quarterback Nico Iamaleava overshot wide receiver Squirrel White on what would have been a walk-in touchdown. Wide receiver Chris Brazzell also dropped a first-down catch on second-and-9. The Vols eventually tried a 53-yard field goal, which sailed wide to the right. Alabama will now take over at its 37-yard line, and Tennessee's defense -- despite its strong play -- has already been on the field a lot. 

Tennessee's defense saves the day again 

Alabama was about to drain the energy from Neyland Stadium with an easy touchdown drive, but the Vol defense stepped up to save the day again. On second-and-goal from inside Tennessee's 5-yard line, Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe tried a back-shoulder throw to the end zone. But Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy leapt into the air and snagged the ball with one hand, returning the sensational interception 54 yards into Alabama territory. 

Milroe INT

1st Q: Alabama 0, Tennessee 0 

Bad decision and bad throw into the end zone by Jalen Milroe ends Alabama's best scoring opportunity of the day so far. Milroe looked shaky at times last week against South Carolina and made a bad decision there trying to force one into Ryan Williams. 

Alabama offense slow to start

1st Q: Alabama 0, Tennessee 0

Tennessee's defense has lived up to the hype so far against Alabama's potent offense. Ryan Williams was open but slipped and couldn't haul in a Jalen Milroe pass that would have been a first down. Milroe looked a little better on his second drive after a 3-and-out to start the game, but the Tide still hasn't gotten past Tennessee's 44-yard line yet.