TUSCALOOSA—Tennessee was doomed from the very first kick.
Volunteer fans expected a competitive battle, but what it received was a 49-10 blood bath from Alabama at Neyland Stadium. The Crimson Tide’s defense limited Tennessee to 158 total yards and three third down conversions. Vols’ quarterback Joshua Dobbs was held to 92 passing yards, and was intercepted by Ronnie Harrison for a 58-yard touchdowns in the second quarter.
Harrison anchored the Tide’s defense with seven tackles, while Shaun Dion Hamilton and Minkah Fitzpatrick each totaled six stops. Reuben Foster, Jonathan Allen and Tim Williams recorded a sack of Dobbs, dooming him to a loss of 31 yards rushing on seven carries. Offensively, Alabama’s run game was too much for the Volunteers.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts led the way with 132 yards rushing and three touchdowns, while running back Bo Scarbrough chimed in with 109 yards and a score on five carries. As a whole, the Tide registered 433 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 48 attempts (nine yards a carry).
Eddie Jackson’s 79-yard punt return and Harrison’s defensive score moves Alabama to 11 non-offensive touchdowns, which surpasses its mark from last season (10). Coach Nick Saban and company will return to Bryant-Denny Stadium next week for showdown against Texas A&M.
For now, Saban improves to 10-0 all-time against Tennessee as Alabama’s head coach.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
