Alabama’s performance has been a bit of a mixed bag through the opening two quarters against Tennessee.
It’s seen big plays from quarterback Bryce Young who continues to look more and more settled into the offense, but it’s also had a number of self-inflicted plays against the Volunteers.
After securing a stop defensively, the Crimson Tide special teams unit had a roughing the kicker penalty which gave the Tennessee offense a second life. Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker took advantage of the extra try and matched down the field ending with an 8-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Velus Jones.
The defense would later have a busted coverage on the back end, as Hooker connected with Javonta Payton for a 57-yard touchdown.
The next glaring mistake came on the offensive side of the ball with a Jameson Williams fumble on the Tennessee 9-yard line.
Although it spend some time beating itself, Alabama tied things together near the end of the second quarter in the form of a Young touchdown scramble and receiving score from John Metchie. The Crimson Tide also got some needed stops defensively as Pete Golding’s unit dominated the line of scrimmage despite the yards surrendered through the air.
Alabama has also received a boost from Tennessee’s own mistakes in the first half. Josh Heupel’s team has shot itself in the foot with a total of 9 first-half penalties which included multiple false starts on its final offensive drive of the half.
Alabama will receive the ball at the start of the second half.
1st Quarter:
-UA TE Jahleel Billingsley leaves with injury but returns shortly after
– UA RB Brian Robinson 8-yard TD run, 8:05
-UT QB Hendon Hooker 8-yard TD pass to WR Velus Jones, 6:15
-UT QB Hendon Hooker 57-yard TD pass to Javonta Payton, 0:26
2nd Quarter:
-UA WR Jameson Williams fumbles on TN 9-yard line
-UA QB Bryce Young 5-yard TD run, 9:27
-UA QB Bryce Young 6-yard TD pass to WR John Metchie
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
