Vols ‘simply beginning’ after Alabama conquest
- Chris Low, ESPN Elder WriterOct 20, 2024, 12:12 AM ET Close College football
- press reporter Joined ESPN.com in 2007
- Graduate of the University of Tennessee
KNOXVILLE, Tenn.– A haze of stogie smoke filled the Tennessee interview space– all of Neyland Arena, for that matter– and former Vols excellent Alvin Kamara glimpsed through the drape as a hoarse Josh Heupel did his best to paint what was another unforgettable Third Saturday in October for the Vols.Tennessee had suffered through 15 straight losses to bitter competing Alabama when Heupel got here as Tennessee’s coach in 2021. Now, in his 4th season, the Vols have won 2 of their past 3 against the Crimson Tide, the current a 24-17 conquest that saw Tennessee recover from its 3rd straight scoreless very first half, lastly discover some dynamite plays in the passing game in the second half and lean on a defense that Heupel called both” elite” and “special” after enjoying that system hold a challenger under 20 points for the seventh straight game this season.”When we got here, I never talked about it since at the end of the day
nobody cares. They care what the scoreboard looks like weekly,” Heupel said.”There were obstacles as a program we had to browse and conquer, and as training personnel, administration and our players, we did it in a quite unique method. Not ideal … and as a program, we’ve got to enhance this year.Editor’s Picks“But I really do feel like we’re just getting started as a program.”This game wasn’t a thriller in the very same fashion as the 52-49 contest 2 years earlier in Knoxville that ended on a last-second basket, however the aftermath was similar. Tennessee fans stormed the field, tore down the goalposts and puffed gleefully on victory stogies, a long-standing custom in a rivalry that dates to 1901. Kamara joined numerous former Tennessee players in the locker space afterward to commemorate, as the No. 11 Vols recuperated from a three-turnover very first half and made the most of a No. 7 Crimson Tide team that committed a season-high 15 penalties for 115 yards.In an SEC race that gets crazier by the week, every win is valuable. However even Heupel wasn’t ready to downplay what beating Alabama implies to everybody on Rocky Top. “You’re a Vol for Life, that’s not just words,” Heupel stated.
“For it to be the 2nd time [beating Alabama] … this program, when we stroll onto the field, we seem like we’re good enough to go win every Saturday.
Does this one matter? Yeah, definitely. You understand the historic nature of this game, what it implies to the fan base and inside of our walls and in the brand-new landscape of the league.” The expectation was to head out and play terrific football tonight, and we did that defensively for 60 minutes. Offensively, we were on the right side enough and unique groups enough. “Tennessee(6-1, 3-1)has actually won two in a row given that being upset by Arkansas on Oct. 5, consisting of
a 23-17 overtime escape recently in your home against Florida.And while the first-half offending doldrums remain an issue, redshirt quarterback Nico Iamaleava showed his mettle in the 2nd half after taking some success in the very first half, leaving the game for a play and not having the ability to connect with open receivers on several of deep balls.After an unsteady very first half, Iamaleava tossed a 55-yard strike down the best sideline to Dont ‘e Thornton Jr., setting up a Dylan Sampson 3-yard touchdown go to put Tennessee ahead 14-10 late in the third quarter.After Alabama retook the lead at 17-14, Iamaleava threw a 16-yard goal to a diving Chris Brazzell II in the back of completion zone on
a third-and-5 play to offer the Vols the lead for good.Iamaleava, who had an interception in the first half, likewise did damage running the ball, including an essential 27-yard enter the 3rd quarter leading to Tennessee’s first goal. He stated he wasn’t going to let another lackluster first half by the Vols on offense beat him down. “It’s next-play mentality, “Iamaleava said.”Like Coach Heupel preaches, you got to keep battling, keep going strong for our
guys, and I’m delighted we could get that done.”It wasn’t over until Will Brooks, an Alabama local and walk-on, intercepted Jalen Milroe inside the final 2 minutes. Brooks also made what was likely a touchdown-saving take on in the first quarter when he tripped up Milroe on a third-and-short play.Brooks’teammate, linebacker Arion Carter, said it was necessary to the defense to find a way and “offer the offense something to stand on and
be able to complete out the game.”Carter then turned to Brooks and admired the redshirt senior security.”Let me just say this: This guy is among the most unselfish individuals you’ll ever satisfy for the team, does his job at a very high level and holds everyone liable, “Carter stated.”Just having him next to me and working with each other on the field … I would not desire it any other method.”Tennessee held Alabama (5-2, 2-2 )to 75 hurrying yards and kept Milroe repressed all game. He was intercepted twice and completed with 11 rushing lawns on 14 brings
, including 3 sacks.As the Vols ‘defense continued to clamp down on the Tide in the second half, the crowd of 101,915 just grew more raucous.”Oh yeah, it was rocking, especially on those last couple of drives,”Carter stated.” It was so loud [Alabama] could not get their pass defense set. Just being able to have a crowd like that screaming and behind you, it’s certainly a great sensation, particularly having the confidence to head out there and dominate.” Sampson, who now has 17 rushing goals on the season, completed with 139 lawns on 26 brings. He had 127 of those lawns in the 2nd half and penalized an exhausting
Alabama defense.But at halftime, with the Vols scoreless, Sampson said it was the defense that picked up everyone in the locker space.”Clearly our defense is out there offering us confidence,”Sampson said.”We sort of made it tough on them in the first half, but they’re playing their tails off, no matter who remains in the game, and you respect that.”That lights a fire, and if it does not, something’s wrong.”