Cigars were lit, and goalposts came down as thousands of fans celebrated No. 11 Tennessee’s 24-17 win over No. 7 Alabama on Saturday.
Chris Brazzell II made a diving 16-yard touchdown catch from Nico Iamaleava in the fourth quarter, giving the Volunteers a 21-17 lead.
Dylan Sampson rushed for 139 yards and two touchdowns for the Volunteers (6-1, 3-1 Southeastern Conference). This win keeps Tennessee in the running for a College Football Playoff spot.
“(That’s how) they’ve played all year,” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said about his defense. “How they played tonight kept us in the ballgame when, offensively, we were a little bit off.”
Sampson has rushed for over 100 yards in all but one game this season, and his 17 touchdowns rank second in FBS. “(Sampson) sparked it,” Heupel said. “What a night on Rocky Top.”
The Crimson Tide (5-2, 2-2) face a tough road ahead for the rest of the season. Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe had a challenging game, completing 25 of 45 passes for 239 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Alabama managed just 89 rushing yards, while Tennessee ran for 214.
“You gotta look inward first and make sure that everything you’re doing is right,” said Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer. “Anyone you sense has any type of questioning, you got to make sure you bring them with you.”
“I gotta take full ownership (of the loss),” Milroe said. “When it comes to communication up front, communication to the guys around, I gotta do better.”
With 2:25 left in the game and trailing 21-17, Alabama took the ball on its own 30-yard line. A penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct on wide receiver Kendrick Law hurt the Crimson Tide’s drive, allowing Tennessee to extend its lead to seven points with a field goal on their next possession.
Tennessee dealt with three turnovers in the first half and was behind 7-0 at halftime. Iamaleava sparked the team with a 55-yard pass to Dont’e Thornton in the third quarter and a touchdown pass to Brazzell in the fourth.
“(Recovering) takes toughness,” Heupel said about his quarterback. “Mental toughness. When it matters the most, how will you perform?” “(It’s the) next play mentality,” Iamaleava said. “I gotta keep going strong for my guys.”
The Volunteers took their first lead of the game at 14-10 with one minute left in the third quarter. Sampson scored from three yards out after Iamaleava’s 55-yard pass to Thornton.
In the early part of the fourth quarter, Alabama responded to Tennessee’s score with a 7-yard touchdown run from Justice Haynes, putting them ahead 17-14. Germie Bernard helped set it up with a 28-yard catch from Milroe.
