Alabama claws back at halftime despite early uncharacteristic mistakes at Tennessee
By Keith Farner
Published:
Alabama dealt with a slew of mistakes in the first half against Tennessee, from early penalties to a costly turnover off of a botched punt return, but then the offense scored on 3 of the next 5 drives to cut Tennessee lead to 28-17 with 6:46 left in the first half.
Alabama suffered a turnover on a botched punt return, and that came after penalties were already a problem, and the Crimson Tide finished the first half with 9 penalties for 71 yards. Alabama forced an incomplete pass on a fourth down attempt by the Vols, and then drove 6 plays and connected on a field goal with 36 seconds remaining to climb to within 28-20 at halftime.
Bryce Young finished 17-for-26 passing for 205 yards with a touchdown.
Tennessee will get the ball to open the second half.
Yikes, Bama ?
pic.twitter.com/ztXsymqVTe— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) October 15, 2022
Here’s a sampling of some first-half reaction:
As Bama scrambles to catch up, worth noting from the magicians at @ESPNStatsInfo. Entering the day, Bama had 16 drops, which was tied for 118th in FBS and the worst in SEC. No other SEC team had more than 13 drops. Tennessee 21-7 end of 1Q. Bama on doorstep.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 15, 2022
Alabama mistakes are a happen. Dropped first-down completion. Pre-snap penalties. Busted coverages. The Vols have a 14-7 lead and about to regain possession.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) October 15, 2022
This is the second big Alabama road game this year where they’re just making a staggering number of self-inflicted mistakes.
Got away with it against Texas. Not likely today if this continues.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) October 15, 2022
In my 23 years of watching Alabama football, that might have been the dumbest mistake I’ve ever seen.
— Adam Weil (@AdamWeil22) October 15, 2022
The difference in this game? Alabama is making unnecessary mistakes, Tennessee isn’t. Discipline.
— Clint Lamb (@ClintRLamb) October 15, 2022
Can’t think of the last time I saw an Alabama team make so many mistakes in the first half of a season.
— Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) October 15, 2022
Who is this Alabama team? Dumb mistakes, penalties…
— Tim Murray (@1TimMurray) October 15, 2022
Alabama not getting that interception to make up for the special teams mistake feels like it is going to be extremely costly
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) October 15, 2022
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
