No. 7 Alabama falls to No. 11 Tennessee in Knoxville

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — No. 7 Alabama couldn’t find a way to pull out a win in an ugly game against No. 11 Tennessee, losing 24-17.

It’s Alabama’s second loss in three years to Tennessee, and its second straight loss in Neyland Stadium.

The game was a struggle for both offenses for much of the game. Tennessee was held scoreless in the first half, while Alabama’s typically-explosive offense stalled time and time again as quarterback Jalen Milroe looked shaky early.

The Crimson Tide defense looked as good as its looked all season in the first half, forcing two missed field goals and three takeaways in the first 30 minutes of the game. Linebacker Jihaad Campbell had an early fumble recovery, while Malachi Moore and Jaylen Mbakwe each had interceptions. The issue was, the offense scored zero points off those takeaways, being unable to capitalize each time.

Once the third quarter came, both offenses found a much more success, with Tennessee finding its run game behind star running back Dylan Sampson. But every time The Vols scored, the Crimson Tide found an answer.

That is, until late in the fourth. A 16-yard score from Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava gave Tennessee the lead, and the Crimson Tide offense was unable to put together a drive to go back ahead, leading to the loss.

Milroe finished the game completing 25-of-44 passes for 239 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. The second interception came on Alabama’s last drive of the game, where the Crimson Tide had the ball with a chance to tie the game.

Alabama was outscored 24-10 in the second half.

The loss drops Alabama to 5-2 on the season and 2-2 in SEC play, putting a massive dent in the Crimson Tide’s SEC championship and College Football Playoff hopes.

Next week, Alabama takes on No. 19 Missouri at home. The game time is yet to be announced.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Quarter

For the first time all season, Alabama didn’t score in the first quarter. Tennessee didn’t score either, leading to a 0-0 tie at the end of on in Knoxville. Both offenses struggles, with the two quarterbacks in the game combining for 9-of-22 passing for 100 yards and an interception combined.

Second Quarter

Alabama 7, Tennessee 0 (13:01)

Alabama struck first after a scoreless first quarter, going 64 yards in eight plays to score the first touchdown of the game. The touchdown was a 5-yard Milroe pass to Ryan Williams on a goal line fade, the exact play Milroe threw an interception on the previous possession.

Third Quarter

Alabama 7, Tennessee 7 (6:32)

It took until midway through the third quarter, but Tennessee finally got on the board to tie the game with a 2-yard run from running back Dylan Sampson. Sampson was key for the Vols on the 7-play, 91-yard drive, accounting for 57 rushing yards in the series.

Alabama 10, Tennessee 7 (3:11)

Alabama answered the Tennessee score with a nice drive of its own, going 58 yards in 10 plays. The drive stalled in the red zone, but Graham Nicholson was able to boot in a 35-yard field goal to give the Crimson Tide the lead back.

Tennessee 14, Alabama 10 (1:00)

After a game of missing, Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava finally connected on a deep ball that set the Vols up at the 3-yard-line on the ensuing possession. Tennessee punched it in, taking its first lead of the game late in the third quarter.

Fourth Quarter

Alabama 17, Tennessee 14 (13:56)

Needing an answer, Alabama found one quickly, going 75 yards in six plays to put another touchdown on the board and take the lead right back on the ensuing possession. Justice Haynes ran the score in from seven yards out.

Tennessee 21, Alabama 17 (5:52)

Back-and-forth we go. Tennessee went back up with a nice pass from Iamaleava to Chris Brazzell, to give the Vols a 4-point lead late in the fourth quarter.

Tennessee 24, Alabama 17 (1:30)

Alabama had a chance to answer and take the lead, but the Crimson Tide went for it on fourth down and missed. That set Tennessee up for a quick 3-and-out and field goal, extending the lead to a touchdown with just a little bit of time left.