Celebrate Vol fans. By hook or crook, Tennessee Football has beaten the Florida Gators and the Alabama Crimson Tide in the same season for the second time in three years. UT beat Bama 24-17 on Saturday in a thrilling matchup to improve to 6-1 on the season. Here are five things we learned from Rocky Top’s incredible top 10 victory.
Line of scrimmage play was the difference
We’re not just talking about the offensive and defensive lines. Tennessee Football dominated with its defensive front seven and managed to contained Jalen Milroe, which is why he looked awful throwing the ball. He’s not accurate from the pocket. UT meanwhile had 214 rushing yards and three sacks along with 12 hurries. Alabama had just 75 rushing yards. That was the difference.
Penalties were horrendous for both teams
It’s safe to say the Vols had an inexcusable 11 penalties for 95 yards, something you can never do when you’re at home. However, Alabama committed 15 penalties for 115 yards. This was one of the ugliest Third Saturdays in October in a long time. Most of the calls were the right calls as well, and maybe even more should have been called, leading to our next point.
Refs helped Tennessee Football
After helping Alabama last year, the refs helped the Vols a lot in this game. Rickey Gibson III got away with a holding on Bama’s field goal drive, which is why they were held to three. There was a substitution penalty when Bama faked an injury, which is within the rules. James Pearce Jr. was offside on a sack. Boo Carter taunted and drew a personal foul penalty for Bama in response.
Turnovers almost cost Tennessee Football
Jermod McCoy and WIll Brooks were superb with interceptions each, but Alabama had three chances late despite the Vols outgaining them by almost 100 yards because UT had three first-half turnovers in Bama territory. Dylan Sampson fumbled on the Vols’ opening drive, Gaston Moore threw a pick while in for one play after Nico Iamaleava got hurt, and then Iamaleava had a red zone pick on the next drive.
Passing game turned a corner
John Campbell Jr. and Lance Heard struggled in the first quarter but found their groove afterward. Still, Nico Iamaleava missed two easy shots and had that pick. The receivers had multiple drops. Down 10-7 in the third, though, Tennessee Football came alive with a 55-yard pass to Dont’e Thornton. That sparked a strong end to the game, highlight by a 16-yard touchdown pass from Iamaleava to Chris Brazzell II.
