Tennessee’s offense struggled for most of the Vols’ 24-17 win over Alabama. No matter. Tennessee’s defense held back that Crimson Tide, which is nothing new.
“Fitting, how they’ve played all year, but how they played tonight kept us in the ballgame when offensively we were just a little bit off,” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said of his defense. “There were some things that were close and were just a little off. Young guys have to grow up. They came out and competed really hard…proud of our team. They’re resilient. They love competing together. They answer the bell every round.”
As for the Vols’ defense, that’s become nothing new. Tennessee has held its opponent under 20 points in eight straight games, dating back to the 35-0 shutout win over Iowa in the 2024 Citrus Bowl. It marks the first time UT has accomplished the feat in its first seven games of a season since 1969.
For the third time this season, Tennessee forced a turnover when its opponent had a goal-to-go situation inside the five-yard-line. Sophomore defensive back Jermod McCoy intercepted a pass on second-and-goal from the three with 3:54 left in the first quarter.
The Volunteers previously forced such turnovers on Sept. 21 at Oklahoma with a forced fumble on first-and-goal from the five-yard line with 13:49 left in the second quarter and Oct. 12 versus Florida, when the Vols forced a fumble on first-and-goal from the one with 3:19 left in the second quarter.
For the eighth consecutive game, a stretch dating back to the 2023 season finale in Citrus Bowl against Iowa, Tennessee allowed one or zero scores in the first half, field goal or touchdown. In total, the Volunteers have given up just 16 first-half points in their last eight games, which consisted of three field goals, one touchdown and one extra point.
Tennessee limited Alabama to 75 rushing yards on 34 attempts, just 2.2 per carry. The Crimson Tide’s longest rush of the night was 11 yards.
The Volunteers held Alabama to a 3-of-14 (21.4 percent) conversion rate on third down, as well as a 1-of-2 conversion on fourth down. The No. 11 Vols figure to rise in the polls and have a week off before they host Kentucky on Nov. 2.
