The Third Saturday in October turned out to be the rivalry game that Alabama fans expected….and more. The Crimson Tide, behind a potent offense, and a defense that held Tennessee in check for most of the game, pounded the Volunteers 41 to 17 in front of a sold out Bryant Denny Stadium. Coach Saban's Crimson Tide team carved apart Phillip Fulmer's Tennessee Volunteers like a chainsaw toting jacko'lantern carver, despite suspending five key players before the game.

John Parker Wilson had a career game, completing 32 of 46 passes for 364 yards and 3 touchdowns. DJ set the single game record for receptions and also moved into first place on the all time catch list. Hall finished with 13 catches for 185 yards and 2 touchdowns. He has been a thorn in the Volunteers side since arriving at the Capstone, and his career numbers against the Vols now stand at 30 catches for 426 yards. Terry Grant passed the single season rushing attempts record for a freshman in the game.

Coach Saban set the tone early, with an onside kick to start the game that was recovered by Demarcus Waldrep. The Tide would cash in on the gutsy play call with a Leigh Tiffin field goal to take a 3-0 lead early on. Wilson connected with Terry Grant midway through the first quarter to extend the lead to 10 – 0 before the Vols would answer on an Arian Foster touchdown run to make the score 10 – 7.

The Volunteers offense appears to find its rhythm early in the second quarter, as Erik Ainge passed to Luke Stocker for a 3 yard score to put the Vols ahead 14 – 10. The Tide would answer, however, and Wilson found DJ Hall down the middle for a 16 yard touchdown. Wilson and Hall would connect again in the second period, and the Volunteers would add a field goal to close out the half with the score: Alabama 24, Tennessee 17.

That’s as close as the Volunteers would come to catching the Tide. Tennessee would be shut out for the remainder of the game. The defense, led by freshman corner Kareem Jackson, stifled the Tennessee offense in the second half. Jackson intercepted two passes on the day, and Alabama continued to put points on the board in the 3rd quarter. Tiffin added two field goals in the period to extend the lead to 30 – 17.

Terry Grant found the end zone once again in the fourth, and Leigh Tiffin capped off the scoring with a 44 yard field goal.

Other notes:

The Tide defense held the Volunteers to 103 yards on the ground, and stiffened in the second half to allow the offense to extend the lead. Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge was 22 of 35 for 242 yards, but never seemed to get the Volunteer offense in full swing. Tide running back Terry Grant led the Alabama rushing attack with 26 carries for 104 yards. Alabama rushed for a total 150 yards on the afternoon. Javier Arenas continues to be one of the most explosive weapons for the Crimson Tide. His only return attempt resulted in a 62 yard kickoff return. Tennessee kicked and punted away from him for the majority of the game.

Although 2 starters were suspended before the game, the Alabama offensive line played its best game of the year. The line allowed Wilson to stand in the pocket and make good throws to receivers down field, and opened running lanes for the Tide backs all afternoon.

Alabama will face LSU on Saturday, Nov. 3 at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Join us on our Talk of Champions show this Week (tenatively scheduled for Thursday evening) with Hall of Fame lineman Vaughn Mancha, linebacker Marvin Constant and safety Reggie Myles to discuss the LSU game. The Sunday eveing show will feature George Teague as our guest.

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