Tennessee football’s defense would have made Gen. Robert Neyland proud on Oct. 17 in the stadium that bears his name.
The Vols delivered a performance worthy of its most famous coach, who was renowned for defense. Fittingly, Alabama’s last possession ended with an interception in the Tennessee end zone.
By then, Tennessee fans were puffing on celebratory cigars as the Vols won their third consecutive game against Alabama at Neyland Stadium, 26-10.
Tennessee’s defense was relentless in upsetting the seventh-ranked Tide. It reduced Alabama’s running game to a whisper, blanketed its receivers and hounded quarterback Keelon Russell from start to finish in winning its sixth game in seven tries this season.
The 14th-ranked Vols ended a seven-game losing streak to nationally ranked opponents with the victory, which also evened coach Josh Heupel’s record at 3-3 against the Tide in one of the SEC’s most storied rivalries.
Heupel’s record is even more impressive when you consider the recent history of the series. Alabama won 15 consecutive games against the Vols from 2007 through 2021.
Heupel ended Alabama stretch of dominance with a thrilling 52-49 victory at Neyland in 2022. That game was all about offense. Defense stole the show on this afternoon.
But amid all the defense, Tennessee’s offense didn’t come up empty.
Running back DeSean Bishop scored two touchdowns in leading a second-half surge that included a 15-play, 72-yard drive that took up 9:32 of the fourth quarter.
Like Bishop, Tennessee quarterback George MacIntyre – in just his second career start – also got better as the game went along. He completed eight consecutive passes in one second-half stretch as the Vols enhanced their chances of making the College Football Playoff for the second time in three years.
MacIntyre replaced freshman Faizon Brandon late in the first half of the Auburn game on Oct. 3 and has led the Vols to three consecutive victories. And he has improved with each game.
He completed 21 of 31 passes for 197 yards against Alabama.
Tennessee defensive dominance
Alabama seldom has looked so helpless against a Tennessee as it did in the first quarter.
That wasn’t an aberration. It was a sign of things to come.
The Tide didn’t make a first down until the midway mark of the quarter and finished the quarter with only one first down and 38 total yards.
You could credit Tennessee’s Penn State connection for much of Alabama’s struggles. Former Nittany Lions defensive coordinator Jim Knowles seemingly was a step ahead of the Tide on every play.
His former Penn State players also figured in UT’s first-quarter success. Tackle Xavier Gilliam deflected a Russell pass, linebacker Amaree Campbell forced a Russell fumble, and safety Dejuan Lane had an interception.
All that defense not only stymied Alabama’s offense. It set up three first-quarter field goals from Cooper Ranvier.
Alabama’s second-quarter production wasn’t much better than its first. The only difference: Russell’s playmaking.
Russell dodged a blitz from safety TJ Metcalf and scrambled 19 yards for a touchdown. He also beat Tennessee’s rush on a 20-yard completion to Rico Scott that advanced the Tide into field-goal range.
Tennessee’s red zone woes
Alabama’s defense wasn’t as good as UT’s, but it was consistently clutch – forcing the Vols to settle for four first-half field goals.
Tennessee’s most frustrating drive was its first. The Vols kept the Tide on their heels by mixing quick, short passes from MacIntyre with the running of Bishop on a 12-play, 63-yard drive.
But the drive sputtered to a halt at the Alabama 10-yard line. First, the Vols lost a yard on a botched handoff exchange. Then, on third down, Alabama Bray Hubbard blitzed from his safety position and deflected a MacIntyre pass.
Alabama gamble sets up Tennessee
Despite Alabama’s futile attempts to dent the Tennessee defense, coach Kalen DeBoer wasn’t deterred.
On the Tide’s first possession of the second half, it drove to the Tennessee 40-yard line. That was enough progress to convince DeBoer that Alabama could convert a fourth-and-1.
He couldn’t have been more wrong.
Linebacker Jeremiah Telander added one more big play to Tennessee’s big-play defense by stopping 235-pound Daniel Hill for no gain.
One possession later, DeBoer was stubborn enough to test Tennessee’s defense again on another fourth-and-1. This attempt never got off the ground. A false-start penalty backed the Tide up five yards, and it had no choice but to punt.
Tennessee defense wore down Alabama
While Tennessee’s defensive front proved too much for Alabama from the outset. It offensive line wore down the Tide in the fourth quarter.
Bishop contributed to Alabama’s fatigue. He repeatedly drove through Tide defenders for extra yardage.
He ended up with 159 yards rushing on 32 carries, which more than doubled Alabama’s rushing total.
But long before Bishop ran down the Tide, Tennessee’s defense provided a preview of where this game was headed.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee football raised its defense to new level in beating Alabama | Adams