Alabama trounces Tennessee
Volunteers no match as Crimson Tide score with ground attack, special teams, defense.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Alabama wouldn’t allow Tennessee to produce another comeback.
Jalen Hurts and Bo Scarbrough each rushed for over 100 yards Saturday and No. 1 Alabama again got points from its defense and special teams in a 49-10 blowout of No. 9 Tennessee.
It was the most lopsided victory by either team in this rivalry since a 51-0 Alabama victory in 1906.
“This is as proud of our team as I’ve been all year long in terms of playing a complete game against a very good team, especially in a tough environment,” Alabama Coach Nick Saban said.
Tennessee (5-2, 2-2 SEC) had erased double-digit deficits in five of its first six games — including a 45-38 loss at Texas A&M last week in which it forced overtime after trailing 28-7 — but the Volunteers couldn’t deliver a similar rally this time.
Alabama (7-0, 4-0) instead had college football’s cardiac kids dead and buried by the end of the third quarter.
The Crimson Tide capitalized on the injury issues that have decimated Tennessee’s depth chart.
“That was our goal coming in, to score fast and get them tired,” Alabama tight end O.J. Howard. “I think it worked.”
Alabama earned its 19th straight victory overall and its 10th consecutive win in this annual series. Tennessee has lost its last 13 games against Southeastern Conference Western Division schools.
Hurts, the Crimson Tide’s freshman quarterback, ran for 132 yards and three touchdowns as Alabama outrushed Tennessee 438-32. Scarborough rushed for 109 yards on just five carries, including an 85-yard touchdown.
Alabama posted its highest single-game rushing total since running for 451 yards in a 56-28 victory over Tennessee in 1986.
“They did an exceptional job tonight,” Tennessee safety Todd Kelly Jr. said. “They executed and we didn’t, at the end of the day.”
The Tide also scored on Ronnie Harrison’s 58-yard interception return and Eddie Jackson’s 79-yard punt return.