Analysis
Bishop’s 159 yards carry Tennessee past Alabama
The Volunteers held Alabama scoreless after halftime, then spent 9:32 on the drive that put the game away.
Tennessee took possession with 12:49 left in the fourth quarter and a nine-point lead over Alabama. The Volunteers went 72 yards in 15 plays, with DeSean Bishop scoring from five yards out to leave Alabama down 16 with 3:17 left.
Bishop finished with 159 yards on 32 carries and scored both of Tennessee’s second-half touchdowns in a 26–10 victory at Neyland Stadium. The No. 14 Volunteers kept No. 6 Alabama scoreless after halftime.
Tennessee ran 15 plays on its final scoring possession alone; Alabama ran 55 in the entire game. Bishop’s workload helped Tennessee hold the ball for 35:44.
Tennessee had led only 12–10 at halftime. Cooper Ranvier supplied all 12 points with four field goals, and the Volunteers had yet to reach the end zone. Alabama opened the third quarter with a ten-play drive that ended on downs at the Tennessee 40.
The Volunteers drove 60 yards in nine plays after that stop. Bishop finished the possession with his first touchdown, extending the lead to 19–10 with 5:05 left in the third quarter.
George MacIntyre completed 21 of 31 passes for 197 yards for Tennessee, with Mike Matthews accounting for 85 receiving yards. The Volunteers overcame an interception and a lost fumble; Alabama had four turnovers of its own.
Keelon Russell threw two interceptions and finished with 147 yards passing. Tennessee recorded five sacks, and Alabama managed only 54 yards rushing and 201 yards overall. The Crimson Tide converted two of 13 third downs and one of three fourth downs.
