Keelon Russell Shines Despite Injury, Top Box Score Stats & Highlights for Alabama Win vs. Vandy

The No. 3 Alabama Crimson Tide overcame a slow start to secure a 21-6 road win over the Vanderbilt Commodores at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, on Saturday.

Despite the uncertainty regarding whether star quarterback Keelon Russell would play for Bama on Saturday, the Tide entered the game as 14.5-point favorites, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Russell did end up playing, and he was the top offensive performer for either team during Saturday's contest:

Passing
Notable Players	C/ATT	YDS	TD	INT
Keelon Russell, ALA	22/33	217	3	1
Jared Curtis, VAN	25/41	223	0	0
Rushing
Notable Players	CAR	YDS	TD
Daniel Hill, ALA	14	89	0
Sedrick Alexander, VAN	6	27	0
Receiving
Notable Players	REC	YDS	TD
Ryan Coleman-Williams, ALA	7	68	0
Lotzeir Brooks, ALA	5	62	2
Rico Scott, ALA	4	29	0
Marshall Pritchett, ALA	1	9	1
Junior Sherrill, VAN	7	100	0
Jayvontay Conner, VAN	3	35	0
Tristen Brown, VAN	4	26	0

ESPN's Pete Thamel (h/t ESPN's Alex Scarborough) reported Friday that backup Austin Mack was expected to get his first start of the season against Vandy due to Russell dealing with an ankle injury.

Thamel noted that while it was believed Russell would be available off the bench if needed, the plan was for Russell to rest his ankle so he could be healthier for the stretch run.

However, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer surprised many on Saturday when he made the decision to start Russell.

Per ESPN, Russell "looked better than anticipated in pregame warmups," which prompted DeBoer to go with his star signal-caller as the starter.

Both offenses struggled and neither team managed to score points until there was 4:13 left in the first half, as Vanderbilt kicker Brock Taylor drilled a 52-yard field goal.

The field goal was a direct result of a mistake by Russell, who was intercepted deep in his own territory by Vanderbilt defensive back Dontae Carter while attempting to complete a pass to the flat:

Russell bounced back nicely from that miscue, taking the Alabama offense 75 yards in 4:07 and throwing a go-ahead, nine-yard touchdown pass to tight end Marshall Pritchett with just six seconds left in the half:

The Tide then extended their lead to 14-3 on their first possession of the second half thanks to a 39-yard scoring strike from Russell to wide receiver Lotzeir Brooks:

Following another Commodores field goal, Alabama scored on its third consecutive drive after Noah Rogers set the table with an 83-yard kickoff return:

Russell accounted for his third touchdown of the day, connecting with Brooks again from nine yards out:

New life was breathed into Vanderbilt's comeback chances with less than seven minutes remaining in the game when Russell lost a fumble while getting sacked by pass-rusher Miles Capers:

However, Alabama forced a turnover on downs at its own 10-yard line, effectively squashing the Vandy rally with less than four minutes left on the clock.

Saturday's win puts Alabama in a great position when it comes to reaching the SEC Championship Game and the College Football Playoff.

The Tide are now 8-2 overall and 6-2 in SEC play, and they are set to face FCS Chattanooga next Saturday before closing out their regular season in the Iron Bowl against Auburn on Nov. 28.

Meanwhile, Vanderbilt's nightmare season continued after winning a school-record 10 games last season.

The Commodores fell to 4-6 overall and 1-6 in the SEC with Saturday's defeat. They will close out their regular season with games on the road against Florida next Saturday and at home against No. 8 Tennessee the following week.

Vandy needs to win both games in order to be bowl eligible, but it figures to be a heavy underdog in each.