TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — No. 17 Tennessee had command in the first half, but the momentum completely swung to No. 11 Alabama in the second half as the Vols fell to the Crimson Tide, 34-20, at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday.
On the opening drive of the game, the Vols started off strong and scored a touchdown. Quarterback Joe Milton threw a deep ball to Squirrel White for a 39-yard touchdown as White made quite the grab in the endzone. UT took a 7-0 lead less than three minutes into the game. The Vols converted on two third downs on the scoring drive, one on which Milton ran over a defender on a nine-yard run.
On their third drive, the Vols marched down the field again. Milton and his wide receivers connected for four completions, and the running game was also moving the ball. However, the drive stalled inside Alabama's 10-yard line and the Vols settled for a 24-yard field goal from Charles Campbell for a 10-0 lead.
The Vols totaled more passing yards in the first quarter against the Crimson Tide than they had all of last weekend's game against Texas A&M.
On the ensuing Alabama drive, Tennessee came up with a sack and forced a fumble, which was recovered inside the Alabama 20-yard line. UT defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. came up with the sack and forced fumble, defensive lineman Omar Norman-Lott recovered the ball.
However, the Vols were only able to convert that into another field goal to make it 13-0.
The Tennessee defense held Alabama scoreless through a quarter and a half, but the Crimson Tide trimmed the lead on a touchdown drive in the second quarter. Alabama scored on a 10-yard pass from quarterback Jalen Milroe to wide receiver Jermaine Burton.
Tennessee on their next drive went for it on fourth down at their own 34-yard line. They didn't convert on a rushing attempt. The Vols defense immediately came up with a big response. Vols safety Jaylen McCollough came up with an interception in the endzone.
In that next offensive drive for UT, Milton found wide receiver Ramel Keyton on a 30-yard pass from the 50-yard line, setting UT up in the red zone. The Vols finished the drive with a touchdown pass from Milton to tight end McCallan Castles for the 20-7 lead, which would be the score at halftime.
At halftime, Milton had thrown for 175 yards and two touchdowns. 105 yards, a touchdown and 8 of Milton's 16 completions were to White. Milton also ran for 44 yards.
Alabama started with the ball in the second half and quickly scored a touchdown. The Crimson Tide scored in two plays, getting their touchdown on a pass from Milroe to Isaiah Bond to cut the Vols' lead to 20-14.
Alabama got a three and out on defense and then came right back down the field. Tennessee held the Crimson Tide to a field goal, but the lead once again was trimmed to 20-17.
The Vols were looking for some momentum on offense on their next drive. They got to their own 47-yard line and chose to go for it on a fourth and one. They were stuffed on a rushing attempt and Alabama took over on downs.
Alabama went down the field and scored another touchdown following that stop. Running back Jase McClellan finished the drive with a five-yard score to give Alabama its first lead of the game by a score of 24-20 with 3:42 left in the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Alabama added more points on a 50-yard field goal from kicker Will Reichard to extend the lead to 27-20 with 8:17 to go.
On Tennessee's next offensive possession, Milton was sacked and fumbled the football. Alabama scooped it and returned it for a touchdown, Alabama led 34-20
Tennessee fell to 5-2 on the season and 2-2 in SEC play. They play Kentucky next Saturday at 7 p.m..
