Here's my notes following the Sunday afternoon re-watch. Tennessee played hard and did some good things with explosive plays. It struggled in the end with containing the quarterback on third down and not finding an answer for John Metchie at wideout. It was a one score game in the fourth quarter that saw the final get out of hand as Alabama took advantage of short field position on its final two possessions. It's obvious Tennessee is improving under Josh Heupel and staff, but until reinforcements come to bail out position groups of strain, the Vols must take advantage of every opportunity awarded to them. It failed to do that after forcing a turnover and settling for a field goal after a blocked punt.
If something doesn't make sense, please ask.
Explosive plays (TN): 1 (1Q, Hooker to Tillman on GO, 39 yds), 2 (1Q, Hooker to Payton for 57yd TD post), 3 (4Q, Hooker to Tillman for 70yd TD)
Explosive plays (Ala): 1 (1Q, Young-to-Williams + penalty, swing of 34 yards), 2 (3Q, Young to Metchie for 28 yards), 3 (3Q, Young to Holden for 26 yards), 4 (4Q, Young to Williams for 65 yds),
Penalties (TN): 1 (1Q, Hands to face – Baron), 2 (1Q, chop block – Carvin & Wright), 3 (1Q, False Start – Evans), 4 (2Q, False start – Wright), 5 (2Q, False Start – Wright), 5 (2Q, Illegal formation on punt – Mohan), 6 (2Q, False start – Tillman), 7 (2Q, False start – Tillman), 8 (2Q, late hit – Banks), 9 (4Q, DPI – McCollough) -- 12 total for Tennessee
Will Reichard (Alabama kicker): 9 kickoffs, 6 touchbacks, 3 fair catches (Jones) – no TN KO returns
Impact players (TN): Hooker, Tillman, Young, Butler
Alabama totaled 20 first downs in the first half. Alabama was 7/9 on 3rd downs in the first half and finished 15/20 on the game with 33 total first downs. Tennessee allows first running back to tally 100 yards in a game (Robinson, 107 yds). Vols defense has played 193 snaps in last two games (101, Ole Miss – 92, Alabama). Bryce Young 4 total TDs, Robinson scored 3, Metchie scored 2
First Quarter: Tennessee 14, Alabama 7
D1 (TN) -25: 3 plays, 6 yards, 1:31……PUNT
Tennessee uses James Robinson (#10) as blocking TE on opening two plays. No more Robinson after that. Phidarian Mathis and Byron Young both beat Jerome Carvin and Darnell Wright across face to meet Small in backfield for the loss on third down. Vols punt (54 yards – Brooks).
D1 (Ala) -15: 12 plays, 85 yards, 5:24……TOUCHDOWN
Jameson Williams drops what would have been first down catch on first down. Vols flow well to flip pass – acting as Jet Sweet – to Williams on second down. Good coverage by Hadden next play, but Tide connects on first of three third downs to begin this drive. Jeremy Banks falls down on first down, not there to aid in Robinson gain of 6. Beasley a good play on second down, along with Theo, stuffing Robinson for loss. Alontae Taylor great play off the edge for a TFL. Vols called for hands to the face (Baron) after 19 yard pickup on third down. Ends up being 34 yards on that third down play, down to the Vols’ 22. Young all day to throw, scrambles for 12 yards down to the 8 for 1st & goal. Banks missed tackle on Robinson 8-yard TD run. Tennessee plays hard, Alabama takes advantage of mistakes.
D2 (TN) -25: 8 plays, 75 yards, 1:50….TOUCHDOWN
Great blocks by Tillman and Fant on first down swing pass to Small for gain of 9. On third down, Hooker rolls right and flips (backyard football style) to Small for a gain of 16. A nice football play by #5 and they could have looked at this for targeting (Malachi Moore). Was a tricky play as Hooker was runner first before popping up to throw. Hooker to Cedric Tillman for 39 yards down the near sideline to +11. Two plays later, Hooker hits Jones on skinny post from the slot for 8yd TD. No inside help from LB To’o To’o, who doesn’t sink as safety plays over top, outside. Vols respond well.
D2 (Ala) -25: 8 plays, 39 yards, 3:31….FG MISS – TOD
Good play by Banks on first down – reads well and closes gap. Beasley and Harrison rally well on screen play. Matthew Butler playing really well early in first quarter. Byron Young a sack on second down – great motor on twist. Incomplete on third down and Tide try 53-yard FG and miss. Vols get good field position.
D3 (TN) -36: 5 plays, 64 yards, 2:18…..TOUCHDOWN
Chop block from Jerome Carvin, Darnell Wright sets Vols back to 2nd & 21. Evans false starts before next play to make it 2nd & 26. On 3rd & 28, Vols gain five on Evans run (gets up limping). Brooks punts but PENALTY gives Vols life. Roughing the kicker as Brooks lets them know. Two plays later, Hooker hits Payton for 57-yard TD strike on post. Vols make good of penalty.
D3 (Ala) – 29: 5 plays, 62 yards, 1:13….FUMBLE
Drive extends on into the second quarter…..Taylor gets shaken up on first play (returns). Fantastic defensive play form Hadden to pop ball loose from behind on Williams, George recovers and the Vols force a turnover while Alabama was driving through the red zone.
Second Quarter: Alabama 21, Tennessee 14
D4(TN) -9: 3 plays, -5 yards, 1:13…..PUNT
Darnell Wright has back-to-bac false start penalties on 3rd & short and 3rd & 6 to derail drive. Vols can’t capitalize on turnover, forced to punt. Brooks – 40 yards. Vols called for illegal formation, 5 yards added to end of kick. That’s three penalties on that one drive for Tennessee.
D4 (Ala) + 44: 7 plays, 44 yards, 3:33…..TOUCHDOWN
Alabama takes advantage of Tennessee soft zone, picking up gains of 10 and 13 on the drive. Metchie touched the ball three times in seven plays on drive. Just too easy for Alabama moving down the field for the score. Young scrambles in on 3rd & goal from the 5 for the TD.
D5 (TN) -25: 3 plays, 9 yards, 1:35…..PUNT
Vols gain nine yards on swing pass to Small on play one but go nowhere on Hooker and Small runs on second and third downs. Both runs for no-gain…Harris and To’o To’o ran free on third down play…Vols punt. Brooks punt of 45 yards.
D5 (Ala) -21: 12 plays, 79 yards, 5:18…..TOUCHDOWN
Williams runs over Turnage. Tide again finding Metchie and making hi focal point of drive. Wideout hauls in three passes, including TD on the drive. Harrison was in position for TFL on Robinson 13 yard rush, but ran right by him. On 3rd & 7, Young runs for 11. Great coverage by Tennessee, missed tackle from Taylor. Metchie blocks as if it’s screen, then comes off for TD on slant from the 6-yard line. Turnage played it well, just slow on the cross.
D6 (TN) -25: 3 plays, 8 yards, 00:54…..PUNT
Two false start penalties (one on play #1) derail any hope of getting something going on drive. Makes is 2nd & 18 at one point. Hooker pushing pace is getting wideouts caught in-between as they are looking to sideline while getting set. Don’t like the play-call on 3rd & short, rolling Hooker across the grain looking for Hyatt on out or Payton on flag. Vols to punt – Brooks 51 yards.
D6 (Ala) -16: 6 plays, 23 yards, 1:34…..PUNT
Alabama trying to run out clock and head to half. Vols rally for good stop on first down. Robinson runs through Jeremy Banks arm tackle for gain of 11 on second down. Not to pile on (as I know some of you think I have it out for him) but a complete unnecessary late hit on the very next play. They are three yards into the white on the sideline and he gives an extra shove to the ground. 100% avoidable and gives Bama an extra 15 which could have been costly. It’s another one of those plays Brian Jean-Mary keeps talking about. He can’t keep doing that. Two plays later, a nice recovery by Banks, along with Butler and Harrison for a sack. Bama holds on third down incompletion, UT declines. Bama punts.
D7 (TN) – 22: 1 play, 6 yards, 00:06….END OF HALF
Jabari Small gain of six as the half comes to a close.
If something doesn't make sense, please ask.
Explosive plays (TN): 1 (1Q, Hooker to Tillman on GO, 39 yds), 2 (1Q, Hooker to Payton for 57yd TD post), 3 (4Q, Hooker to Tillman for 70yd TD)
Explosive plays (Ala): 1 (1Q, Young-to-Williams + penalty, swing of 34 yards), 2 (3Q, Young to Metchie for 28 yards), 3 (3Q, Young to Holden for 26 yards), 4 (4Q, Young to Williams for 65 yds),
Penalties (TN): 1 (1Q, Hands to face – Baron), 2 (1Q, chop block – Carvin & Wright), 3 (1Q, False Start – Evans), 4 (2Q, False start – Wright), 5 (2Q, False Start – Wright), 5 (2Q, Illegal formation on punt – Mohan), 6 (2Q, False start – Tillman), 7 (2Q, False start – Tillman), 8 (2Q, late hit – Banks), 9 (4Q, DPI – McCollough) -- 12 total for Tennessee
Will Reichard (Alabama kicker): 9 kickoffs, 6 touchbacks, 3 fair catches (Jones) – no TN KO returns
Impact players (TN): Hooker, Tillman, Young, Butler
Alabama totaled 20 first downs in the first half. Alabama was 7/9 on 3rd downs in the first half and finished 15/20 on the game with 33 total first downs. Tennessee allows first running back to tally 100 yards in a game (Robinson, 107 yds). Vols defense has played 193 snaps in last two games (101, Ole Miss – 92, Alabama). Bryce Young 4 total TDs, Robinson scored 3, Metchie scored 2
First Quarter: Tennessee 14, Alabama 7
D1 (TN) -25: 3 plays, 6 yards, 1:31……PUNT
Tennessee uses James Robinson (#10) as blocking TE on opening two plays. No more Robinson after that. Phidarian Mathis and Byron Young both beat Jerome Carvin and Darnell Wright across face to meet Small in backfield for the loss on third down. Vols punt (54 yards – Brooks).
D1 (Ala) -15: 12 plays, 85 yards, 5:24……TOUCHDOWN
Jameson Williams drops what would have been first down catch on first down. Vols flow well to flip pass – acting as Jet Sweet – to Williams on second down. Good coverage by Hadden next play, but Tide connects on first of three third downs to begin this drive. Jeremy Banks falls down on first down, not there to aid in Robinson gain of 6. Beasley a good play on second down, along with Theo, stuffing Robinson for loss. Alontae Taylor great play off the edge for a TFL. Vols called for hands to the face (Baron) after 19 yard pickup on third down. Ends up being 34 yards on that third down play, down to the Vols’ 22. Young all day to throw, scrambles for 12 yards down to the 8 for 1st & goal. Banks missed tackle on Robinson 8-yard TD run. Tennessee plays hard, Alabama takes advantage of mistakes.
D2 (TN) -25: 8 plays, 75 yards, 1:50….TOUCHDOWN
Great blocks by Tillman and Fant on first down swing pass to Small for gain of 9. On third down, Hooker rolls right and flips (backyard football style) to Small for a gain of 16. A nice football play by #5 and they could have looked at this for targeting (Malachi Moore). Was a tricky play as Hooker was runner first before popping up to throw. Hooker to Cedric Tillman for 39 yards down the near sideline to +11. Two plays later, Hooker hits Jones on skinny post from the slot for 8yd TD. No inside help from LB To’o To’o, who doesn’t sink as safety plays over top, outside. Vols respond well.
D2 (Ala) -25: 8 plays, 39 yards, 3:31….FG MISS – TOD
Good play by Banks on first down – reads well and closes gap. Beasley and Harrison rally well on screen play. Matthew Butler playing really well early in first quarter. Byron Young a sack on second down – great motor on twist. Incomplete on third down and Tide try 53-yard FG and miss. Vols get good field position.
D3 (TN) -36: 5 plays, 64 yards, 2:18…..TOUCHDOWN
Chop block from Jerome Carvin, Darnell Wright sets Vols back to 2nd & 21. Evans false starts before next play to make it 2nd & 26. On 3rd & 28, Vols gain five on Evans run (gets up limping). Brooks punts but PENALTY gives Vols life. Roughing the kicker as Brooks lets them know. Two plays later, Hooker hits Payton for 57-yard TD strike on post. Vols make good of penalty.
D3 (Ala) – 29: 5 plays, 62 yards, 1:13….FUMBLE
Drive extends on into the second quarter…..Taylor gets shaken up on first play (returns). Fantastic defensive play form Hadden to pop ball loose from behind on Williams, George recovers and the Vols force a turnover while Alabama was driving through the red zone.
Second Quarter: Alabama 21, Tennessee 14
D4(TN) -9: 3 plays, -5 yards, 1:13…..PUNT
Darnell Wright has back-to-bac false start penalties on 3rd & short and 3rd & 6 to derail drive. Vols can’t capitalize on turnover, forced to punt. Brooks – 40 yards. Vols called for illegal formation, 5 yards added to end of kick. That’s three penalties on that one drive for Tennessee.
D4 (Ala) + 44: 7 plays, 44 yards, 3:33…..TOUCHDOWN
Alabama takes advantage of Tennessee soft zone, picking up gains of 10 and 13 on the drive. Metchie touched the ball three times in seven plays on drive. Just too easy for Alabama moving down the field for the score. Young scrambles in on 3rd & goal from the 5 for the TD.
D5 (TN) -25: 3 plays, 9 yards, 1:35…..PUNT
Vols gain nine yards on swing pass to Small on play one but go nowhere on Hooker and Small runs on second and third downs. Both runs for no-gain…Harris and To’o To’o ran free on third down play…Vols punt. Brooks punt of 45 yards.
D5 (Ala) -21: 12 plays, 79 yards, 5:18…..TOUCHDOWN
Williams runs over Turnage. Tide again finding Metchie and making hi focal point of drive. Wideout hauls in three passes, including TD on the drive. Harrison was in position for TFL on Robinson 13 yard rush, but ran right by him. On 3rd & 7, Young runs for 11. Great coverage by Tennessee, missed tackle from Taylor. Metchie blocks as if it’s screen, then comes off for TD on slant from the 6-yard line. Turnage played it well, just slow on the cross.
D6 (TN) -25: 3 plays, 8 yards, 00:54…..PUNT
Two false start penalties (one on play #1) derail any hope of getting something going on drive. Makes is 2nd & 18 at one point. Hooker pushing pace is getting wideouts caught in-between as they are looking to sideline while getting set. Don’t like the play-call on 3rd & short, rolling Hooker across the grain looking for Hyatt on out or Payton on flag. Vols to punt – Brooks 51 yards.
D6 (Ala) -16: 6 plays, 23 yards, 1:34…..PUNT
Alabama trying to run out clock and head to half. Vols rally for good stop on first down. Robinson runs through Jeremy Banks arm tackle for gain of 11 on second down. Not to pile on (as I know some of you think I have it out for him) but a complete unnecessary late hit on the very next play. They are three yards into the white on the sideline and he gives an extra shove to the ground. 100% avoidable and gives Bama an extra 15 which could have been costly. It’s another one of those plays Brian Jean-Mary keeps talking about. He can’t keep doing that. Two plays later, a nice recovery by Banks, along with Butler and Harrison for a sack. Bama holds on third down incompletion, UT declines. Bama punts.
D7 (TN) – 22: 1 play, 6 yards, 00:06….END OF HALF
Jabari Small gain of six as the half comes to a close.
