Alabama's Close Call vs. Tennessee Exactly What Crimson Tide Needed
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — They will spend the rest of the night, weekend and even month mulling over what to name this one, while enjoying the smell of cigar smoke one more time.
Rocky sack?
Smoked again?
T-sized turnover?
More than anything, though, University of Alabama fans should call the 19-14 victory in the “Third Saturday in October” rivalry just what the Crimson Tide needed to set up what could be another championship run.
Alabama is finding out that it has what it takes to do just that.
“It’s a great win for our team,” Nick Saban said. “We were tired out there today, and we didn’t look really quick or fast. We didn’t have a lot of energy like we usually do, and I think that’s due to playing eight games in a row. The best thing I can say is that you have to really respect a team that finds a way to win and makes plays when they have to make plays.”
Although No. 8 Alabama had been trying to downplay its incredibly difficult schedule this season, October was when things were really stacked against the Crimson Tide.
There aren’t too many teams that could have survived a month-long run of at No. 8 Georgia, Arkansas, at No. 9 Texas A&M and Tennessee without a loss. All four of those Southeastern Conference opponents have been ranked this season, and the last two were coming off byes when they faced the Crimson Tide.
The grind finally caught up to Alabama, which, at 7-1 overall (4-1 SEC), really couldn’t afford another setback if it wanted to keep its league title and playoff hopes alive. But as previous Crimson Tide teams have discovered, the ones that play for championships almost always have to endure a scare and notch a “find-a-way” win like this one.
“It was a tough one,” senior linebacker Reggie Ragland said. “It shows what kind of team we have.
“Some people grew up tonight, and that’s what we needed. We needed a game like that to show what kind of tough team we have.”
For the first time this fall, an opponent scored a touchdown during the opening quarter when Tennessee receiver Josh Smith caught an 11-yard pass from quarterback Joshua Dobbs to cap a 75-yard drive. Previously Alabama had outscored opponents 41-6 in the first quarter.
It was the fourth straight SEC home game (including 2014) in which Alabama didn't have the lead at halftime.
With the offensive line struggling, Tennessee tallied 10 tackles for a loss, including five sacks. The defensive backs dropped three interceptions, while the Volunteers (3-4, 1-3 SEC) missed the same number of field goals (two from 51 yards, the other from 43).
"I don't like to lose,” Saban said. “I like to win however we win, and I’m not really particular about how we win."
The game really came down to two fourth-quarter possessions, one by each team with the game on the line. This came just after Tennessee went 75 yards on four plays and took its first lead in the series since 2011, 14-13 on a 12-yard Jalen Hurd run with 5:49 remaining.
Despite having numerous miscues all day, with Alabama having seven penalties and allowing five sacks, the offense went to work. Wide receiver ArDarius Stewart's clutch leaping grab beat a blitz, and freshman Calvin Ridley matched it on the other sideline for another key first down.
Although Alabama was trying to run down the clock as much as possible, with UT still having all of its timeouts remaining, getting a touchdown, and not just a field goal, was the top priority. Three carries by Derrick Henry resulted in the points it coveted on a 14-yard touchdown misdirection run, helping establish a 19-14 lead.
“Same old Henry,” Jake Coker said about the running back who finished with 143 rushing yards on 28 carries and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, the quarterback went 21-of-27 for 247 yards and an interception.
“It means a lot,” Coker said. “Wish we could have had a few drives go better earlier, but we did what we needed to do.”
Following Adam Griffith’s kickoff that resulted in a touchback, Tennessee had a first down at the 25 with 2:24 to go. It managed to get one first down, but a false-start penalty put the Vols in a bad hole that Alabama’s pass-rushers could exploit.
Junior defensive end Jonathan Allen got the first sack, and on 2nd-and-24, a defensive play put the game away when redshirt junior linebacker Ryan Anderson got to Dobbs, sending the ball sailing to junior defensive end A’Shawn Robinson for the clinching fumble recovery.
“I saw his stance, it was elongated, so I knew it was going to be a pass,” said Anderson, before adding about Robinson’s attempt at a touchdown return that was stopped short: “I didn’t even see him running. I was so hyped up I took off the other way. I might get in trouble for that.”
No one noticed immediately because the Alabama sideline essentially turned into a mosh pit of players jumping around, celebrating the ninth straight win over Tennessee.
“It was pretty incredible,” said senior center Ryan Kelly, who barely practiced this week while recovering from a concussion. “I can say that I never lost to Tennessee. It’s kind of up there with the LSU one from last year—the ones that really test this team. We overcame a lot of adversity today and will keep moving forward.
“We’re just super-excited about how we finished.”
Next up is some badly needed rest and recuperation heading into the final stretch of the regular season, when Alabama has another showdown with No. 5 LSU looming Nov. 7, followed by road games at Mississippi State and Auburn.
It might take that long to get the victory cigars' taste—per rivalry tradition—out of their mouths, but Alabama considers that a very good problem to have.
“As soon as Coach stopped talking and broke the huddle, the whole locker room was a big cloud of smoke,” Jones said. “It can overwhelm you in a hurry.”
Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
Christopher Walsh is a lead SEC college football writer. Follow Christopher on Twitter @WritingWalsh.
