Same ending
Vols put up a good fight, but Bama extends streak
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The Tennessee Volunteers were up for an early Halloween scare Saturday night in Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Alabama has never been one to frighten easily under Nick Saban.
Given little chance against the No. 4 Crimson Tide as 25-point underdogs, the Vols led by a touchdown entering the second quarter and trailed by a touchdown early in the fourth before Alabama broke free for a 52-24 win before a sold-out crowd of 100,077. The triumph was Alabama’s 15th straight over Tennessee, with all 15 coming under Saban’s guidance.
If Alabama prevails in Knoxville next season, Saban would match Bear Bryant’s 16 wins against the Vols that transpired throughout Bryant’s 25 years in Tuscaloosa.
Sophomore quarterback Bryce Young completed 31 of 43 passes for 371 yards and two touchdowns for Alabama (7-1, 4-1 Southeastern Conference), and he also rushed 10 times for 42 yards and two scores. Young’s biggest gain was a 65-yard strike to Jameson Williams that set up Brian Robinson’s 15-yard touchdown run the ensuing play that made it 38-24 lead with 12:42 to play.
Vols counterpart Hendon Hooker had an impressive night of his own, throwing a 57-yard touchdown to JaVonta Payton in the first quarter and a 70-yarder to Cedric Tillman early in the fourth to highlight a 19-of-28, 282yard performance with three scores. His one gaffe was a miscommunication with Payton that resulted in an interception by Jalyn Armour-Davis with 11:02 that sealed the game.
The Vols (4-4, 2-3) erupted for 150 first-quarter yards and a 14-7 advantage after the first 15 minutes, but they were held to 68 combined yards in the second and third quarters. Tennessee entered Saturday ranked fifth nationally with 249.1 rushing yards per game but was held to 64 on 26 carries, with the absence of injured right tackle Cade Mays factoring into its struggles.
Both teams have open dates next weekend before resuming play Nov. 6, when Tennessee is at Kentucky and Alabama hosts LSU.