University of Alabama Versus Tennessee 2009

Number 2 Crimson Tide Remains Unbeaten with Defensive Win Over Vols

Oct 24, 2009

Crimson Tide football took another step towards the SEC championship and possible National Championship today by defeating Tennessee in front of their home crowd.

The University of Alabama’s Terrence Cody blocked two Tennessee field goal attempts in the fourth quarter to salvage a defensive win over the Volunteers. Tennessee scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter, the first given up by the Crimson Tide since the Kentucky game on October 3, 2009, to stage an almost dramatic come from behind victory. Number 2 (BCS) Alabama earned its 8th straight victory.

Crimson Tide’s (8 – 0, 5 – 0 SEC) stifling defense held Tennessee (3 – 4, 1– 3 SEC) to 76 yards rushing; however, they allowed 265 yards receiving for a total of 341 yards. The University of Alabama rushed for 136 yards and 120 yards receiving for a total of 256 yards. This is the first time this year that Alabama football had fewer total yards than an opposing team.

Crimson Tide’s Mark Ingram rushed 18 times for 99 yards for a total of 1004 yards and a 6.6 yard average so far this season. Ingram fumbled the ball in the fourth quarter, this was his first fumble in over 320 touches.

Leigh Tiffin (20 – 23) continued his hot streak by kicking 4 field goals during the game, which were Alabama’s only scores. One of Tiffin’s field goals was for 50 yards, which is his longest this season.

Alabama leads Tennessee series 47 – 38 – 7, along with a current three game winning streak over the Volunteers. This win was the Crimson Tide’s third straight home stand win, which is the first time this has happened since 1991.

Crimson Tide Football First Half Action

The first quarter was a defensive struggle resulting in Alabama’s P. J. Fitzgerald punting 56 seconds into the quarter. This was different from the last two games in which the Crimson Tide scored a touchdown in both games in the first minute of each game. Tennessee was forced to punt after six plays, with the Tide starting on their own 20 yard line.

Alabama’s next drive led to a turnover on downs after 11 plays, when they failed to convert a 4th and 5. Tennessee’s drive resulted in an interception by Alabama’s Mark Barron. After a 10 play drive stalled, Tiffin kicked a 38 yard field goal.

Tennessee’s last drive of the quarter ended in a 47 yard missed field goal attempt by Daniel Lincoln. As the first quarter came to close, the Volunteers were driving the ball and ended with the Tide leading 3 – 0.

The second quarter was not dominated by either team, as both team’s defenses kept the other team from scoring a touchdown. Alabama completed 21 plays leading to two field goals by Tiffin from a distance of 50 and 22 yards. Lincoln kicked one field goal for 24 yards. The first half ended with Alabama leading 9 – 3.

Alabama Crimson Tide Football Second Half Action

The third quarter proved to be a defensive struggle for both teams, as neither team scored. Each team punted the ball twice, with the Crimson Tide completing a total of six plays and the Volunteers completing 20 plays. The third quarter came to a close with Alabama leading 9 – 3.

The fourth quarter’s first drive by Tennessee was for 12 plays and resulted in the Tide’s Terrance Cody blocking a 43 yard field goal attempt by Lincoln. This led to a 31 yard drive by Alabama, which stalled on the Volunteers 32 yard line and Tiffin kicking his fourth field goal of the day for 49 yards.

Tennessee’s next drive ended in a punt and Alabama’s last drive of the game. This drive ended in a fumble by Ingram on Bama’s 38 yard line. The Volunteer’s rushed and passed the ball for eight plays leading to an 11 yard touchdown pass by Jonathan Crompton to Gerald Jones. Their extra point was good, resulting in a score of Bama 12 and Vols 10.

The Volunteer’s completed a successful onside kick and moved the ball to Alabama’s 28 yard line. Lincoln’s fourth field goal attempt of the day was again blocked by Cody. The game ended with the Crimson Tide winning 12 – 10.

Alabama Football Wrap Up and Future Schedule

Although Alabama football continued to struggle in the red zone, McElroy completed 18 of 29 passes during the game. His passing totals are 103-201-3 and 1445 yards so far this season. Julio Jones was the leading receiver with 7 receptions for 54 yards. An injury of note was Colin Peek, Bama’s leading receiver, who suffered an injury to his knee during pre-game warm-ups and did not play.

The University of Alabama’s next game will be against Number 9 Louisiana State University (6 – 1, 4 – 1 SEC) on Saturday November 7th at home to continue more Southeastern Conference action for the Crimson Tide.

The copyright of the article University of Alabama Versus Tennessee 2009 in College Football is owned by David R. Wetzel. Permission to republish University of Alabama Versus Tennessee 2009 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.