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The Tuscaloosa News
How Alabama football offense struggles grade out in road loss to Tennessee
- Story byThe Tuscaloosa News
- How Alabama football offense struggles grade out in road loss to Tennessee
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Alabama football was handed another loss in the state of Tennessee.
In the "Third Saturday of October," the No. 7 Crimson Tide lost to Tennessee 24-17 at Neyland Stadium, giving Alabama its second loss of the Kalen DeBoer era.
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Alabama will host Missouri Saturday, Oct. 26 at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The kickoff time and TV affiliation has not been announced.
Here are the postgame grades for Alabama football vs Tennessee Saturday afternoon:
Alabama football offense: D
Tennessee defensive lineman Dominic Bailey (90) pressures Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Knoxville. Tenn.
Tennessee has one of the better defenses in the SEC, one that has the reputation of consistent pressure, of small windows, of little to no scoring.
For Alabama, that reputation became a reality. Justice Haynes , Jam Miller and Alabama's run game was nearly non-existent with an offensive line that collapsed and allowed pressure seemingly at the snap. Milroe was forced out of the pocket, looking for any semblance of hope to move the ball downfield, normally trying to force the ball to Ryan Williams , including one that led to an interception.
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With no run game, Milroe had the pressure of the Tennessee defense on his shoulders alone. And he could not step up to lead the Crimson Tide to a win.
Alabama defense: C
Tennessee wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (1) is tackled by Alabama defensive back Keon Sabb (3) and Alabama defensive back Jaylen Mbakwe (9) during an SEC conference game between Tennessee and Alabama in Neyland Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024.
Alabama's reputation defensively as a takeaway machine followed them to Knoxville: a Dylan Sampon fumble forced by Malachi Moore and recovered by Jihaad Campbell , a Moore interception, a Jaylen Mbakwe interception.
It was a defense that found momentum off those moments in the first half. Sampson was nearly eliminated. Nico Iamaleava was inconsistent, having his share of completions in soft areas of the Crimson Tide's zone, but nothing that gave the Volunteers a boost.
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As the game continued, though, Sampson heated up. Iamaleava connected on the deep ball. And Tennessee turned the game into a back-and-forth bout, one that Alabama could not overcome.
Alabama special teams: B-
When called upon late in the first half, Graham Nicholson did not live up to the moment, missing a 54-yard field goal – his third attempt of the season – to try and give the Crimson Tide a double-digit lead. Nicholson redeemed himself by giving Alabama a lead on a 35-yard field goal.
Cole Adams continues to shine as a punt returner, and James Burnip continues to be James Burnip, finishing with one of his better performances of the season with multiple 50-yard punts, including one that landed inside the 20-yard line.
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Alabama coaching: D+
Kane Wommack knew where Tennessee's strengths were offensively. And for a good part of Saturday, Sampson was eliminated, while the Crimson Tide remained stout in third-down situations, especially in the first half. That scheme slowed down in the second half. Tennessee seemingly solved it quickly.
Alabama penalties brought Tennessee back, whether it was multiple pass interference calls or a roughing the passer call on defense, or multiple false starts and holding penalties keeping the offense off schedule.
Alabama finished with 15 penalties for 115 yards, which helped spark a Tennessee comeback.
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Alabama overall: D
With College Football Playoff implications looming large, Alabama had no answers for Tennessee.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: How Alabama football grades out in loss to Tennessee
