With Alabama trailing 20-7, Jalen Milroe threw a 46-yard touchdown pass on the opening drive of the second-half, and that sparked a 27-0 run that was capped off with a strip-sack touchdown. As a result, they walked away with a 34-20 win over Tennessee football after trailing at halftime for the fourth time this season, three at home.
It truly was a tale of two halves for the Vols. Joe Milton III threw a touchdown pass to Squirrel White on the opening drive of the game. Two field goals put UT ahead 13-0, one that was set up by a strip sack of their own. Then Milton threw another touchdown pass to McCallan Castles at the end of the half.
In addition to the strip-sack, Tennessee Football had a key red zone interception. Their only flaws in the first half were getting stopped on 4th and inches and failing to convert on two trips inside the 10-yard line, which resulted in their two field goals.
Once the second half kicked off, though, Alabama went on a roll. After that touchdown, the Vols were spotted the ball at the four because they waived off the kickoff and then tried to return it. That killed one drive. Then they were stopped on a 4th and 1 on the next drive.
A holding penalty killed their next drive. Alabama scored a touchdown and two field goals on those drives. Then, up 27-20 in the fourth quarter, the strip-sack came. Both teams exchanged punts, and then UT was stopped in the red zone on fourth down with two minutes to go in the game.
Nick Saban’s team improves to 7-1 on the year and 5-0 in SEC play. They now have a bye before the LSU Tigers come to town Nov. 4. Josh Heupel and Tennessee Football, meanwhile, fall to 5-2 and 2-2 in SEC play. They will visit the Kentucky Wildcats, who will be coming off a bye, next week.
