Zabien Brown intercepts Joey Aguilar at the goal line, takes it for 6 as first half expires
By Ethan Stone
Published:
The tide can turn at a moment’s notice in college football.
Tennessee didn’t have the best half, to put it lightly, but the Vols still had a chance to head into the halftime break with a respectable deficit. Down 16-7, the Vols sat at 2nd and Goal with 9 seconds remaining, just a yard away from a touchdown and a 14-16 halftime score.
Zabien Brown had other plans. The Alabama defensive back completely turned the momentum, intercepting a pass from Vols QB Joey Aguilar and taking it the distance right before the end of the first half. Just like that, Alabama leads Tennessee 23-7.
Take a look at Brown’s first interception this season:
What makes it even worse for Tennessee? Alabama gets the ball first in the 3rd quarter and has a chance to completely blow this one open. It feels like an Alabama touchdown drive to start the second half would just about end this one the way Tennessee is playing.
Ty Simpson and the Crimson Tide have sliced and diced this Tennessee defense, but it doesn’t help that the Vols refuse to get out of their own way. Aguilar took a safety by way of intentional grounding earlier in the game, and the Vols offense started behind the sticks numerous times thanks to pre-snap penalties and other self-inflicted mistakes.
The turnover battle was always going to decide this one. The Crimson Tide have been one of the best teams in the country in terms of turnover margin, while Tennessee has now turned the ball over 10 times on offense. Not exactly a winning recipe, folks.
It’s not over, but the Vols have to perform a lot better in the second half if this one is to be close.
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
