TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The No. 6/6 Alabama football team won its fourth-straight game over an AP Top 25 opponent, defeating No. 11/11 Tennessee, 37-20, Saturday night in front of a sold-out crowd at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Crimson Tide (6-1, 4-0 SEC) extended its home winning streak to 16-games, which is tied for the longest such streak in Division I. 

Ty Simpson finished the night 19-of-29 through the air, throwing for 253 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Isaiah Horton and Rico Scott each caught a touchdown, while Ryan Williams led Alabama with five receptions for 87 yards. Alabama’s Daniel Hill and Jam Miller were responsible for one touchdown apiece on the ground, with Germie Bernard rushing for a team-best 49 yards. 

The Crimson Tide defense produced big moments on Saturday, including Zabien Brown’s 99-yard interception for a touchdown at the end of the first half. Collectively, Alabama forced seven tackles for loss, led by Yhonzae Pierre’s three sacks. James Smith led the Tide with seven tackles, including a pair of solo tackles. 

Notes

• Head coach Kalen DeBoer improved to 19-3 (.863) all-time against Associated Press Top 25 opponents with the victory, including a 7-1 (.875) mark against AP Top 25 teams since beginning his tenure at Alabama
• DeBoer now owns a 15-2 (.882) record in 17 career games as a head coach in ranked matchups at the Division I level. DeBoer’s .882 winning percentage stands as the best winning percentage among all active head coaches that have appeared in at least 10 ranked matchups
• Alabama produced its fourth consecutive victory over an AP Top 25 conference opponent in as many weeks, becoming the first team in SEC history to defeat four straight ranked opponents with no open dates
• The Tide also becomes the fourth team in SEC history to defeat four consecutive ranked opponents regardless of open dates, doing so for the first time since 2016
• UA extended its streak to 16 consecutive wins at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium, matching Boise State for the longest active home winning streak in the country
• Isaiah Horton’s two-yard touchdown reception to close the Tide’s opening drive marks the fifth time in seven games that Alabama has scored a touchdown on its first possession
• The Tide crafted a 99-yard scoring drive near the end of the third quarter, marking Alabama’s first 99-yard drive since the season opener against Miami in 2021
• Yhonzae Pierre recorded three sacks in the win, the first player UA defender to total three sacks in a game since Christian Harris against Georgia in the College Football Playoff National Championship game on Jan. 10, 2022
• Zabien Brown’s 99-yard pick-six at the end of the second quarter stands as Alabama’s first interception return for a touchdown since Chris Braswell in 2023 at Mississippi State
• Alabama produced a safety in the second quarter, marking the Tide’s first forced safety since Sept. 28, 2024 against Georgia
• The Tide defense forced a three-and-out to begin the game, the first time this season that Tennessee didn’t score a touchdown on its opening drive
• The Crimson Tide defense surrendered just seven first half points, the fewest by the Tennessee offense in any half of play since Dec. 21, 2024 against Ohio State when the Vols scored just seven points in the second half 

How It Happened

First Quarter

• 6:51 – UA | The Crimson Tide created an impressive 11-play, 91-yard opening drive, with Ty Simpson connecting with Isaiah Horton for a two-yard touchdown pass. (7-0, Alabama)

Second Quarter

• 9:46 – UT | The Volunteers leveled the score following a two-yard touchdown pass, ending a 10-play, 78-yard drive. (7-7)
• 7:27 – UA | On second and 19 near the opposing goal line, pressure by Yhonzae Pierre forced Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar to commit an intentional grounding foul within the end zone, putting two points on the scoreboard for Alabama. (9-7, Alabama)
• 4:05 – UA | The Tide received the free kick following the safety, driving 69 yards over seven plays, leading to Jam Miller’s one-yard touchdown run. (16-7, Alabama)
• 0:00 – UA | With eight seconds remaining in the half and the Volunteers threatening to score at the one-yard line, Zabien Brown jumped in front a pass for an interception, returning the pick 99 yards for a touchdown as the first half clock expired. (23-7, Alabama)

Third Quarter

• 11:18 – UT | Tennessee cut into the deficit following a 44-yard rushing touchdown, ending a quick four-play, 61-yard drive. The Volunteers two-point try was unsuccessful, with Dijon Lee Jr. intercepting Aguilar’s pass in the end zone. (23-13, Alabama)
• 0:25 – UA | After starting at its own one-yard line, the Tide orchestrated a nine-play, 99-yard scoring drive, capped by Simpson finding Rico Scott for an 11-yard touchdown. (30-13, Alabama)

Fourth Quarter

• 10:51 – UT | The Vols managed a one-yard rushing touchdown following a 13-play, 75-yard drive. (30-20, Alabama)
• 5:49 – UA | The Tide put the game away late in the fourth quarter, using 10 plays to cover 75 yards while draining just over five minutes of clock. Daniel Hill rumbled into the end zone tfrom four yards away to build a three-score lead. (37-20, Alabama)

Up Next

• Alabama will next travel to South Carolina on Saturday, Oct. 25
• Kickoff between the Crimson Tide and Gamecocks is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC