It wasn’t flashy or high-scoring. But it meant everything in Tuscaloosa.
A year after one of the most embarrassing losses in program history, No. 10 Alabama exacted
revenge by handing No. 16 Vanderbilt their first loss of the season, 30-14, on Saturday. The
victory exorcised the memory of last year’s shocking upset in Nashville, which was a night that ended with Commodores fans parading a stolen goalpost into the Cumberland River.
This time around Alabama’s head coach Kalen DeBoer led the Tide with cold, methodical football. With Ty Simpson at quarterback, Alabama executed a disciplined game plan, relying on a suffocating defense and relentless clock control to stifle a previously undefeated Vanderbilt squad. Diego Pavia, who had torched the Tide last season, was far less effective against Alabama’s swarming front.
First Half: A Sloppy Start Turns Into a Battle
The first half was physical and unpredictable. Alabama’s opening drive showed promise but
ended with an interception by Vanderbilt’s Martel Hight, who then set up Sedrick Alexander’s 65-yard touchdown run to give the Commodores an early 7–0 lead. Vanderbilt extended the lead to 14–0 with a 93-yard touchdown drive capped by a Pavia-to-Alexander touchdown pass.
Alabama finally found life late in the half. Ty Simpson connected with Ryan Williams for a
touchdown to cut the deficit to 14-7. A 12-play, 92-yard drive culminated in a touchdown
pass to Germie Bernard, tying the game at 14 by halftime.
Second half: Alabama takes control
Alabama came out with renewed focus after halftime. Conor Talty’s 30-yard field goal early
in the third quarter gave Alabama its first lead at 17-14. Vanderbilt’s offense sputtered,
managing only 6 yards before punting. Alabama extended the lead with another Talty field
goal after a swift 6-play drive, making it 20-14.
Vanderbilt tried to mount a comeback but struggled to move the ball, grinding out an 11-play,
14-yard drive that stalled. Alabama responded with a long, clock-consuming 16-play, 69-yard
drive that wore down the Commodores. Jam Miller powered through several runs, finishing
the drive with a crucial 20-yard touchdown run with just 17 seconds left. After Talty’s extra
point, Alabama led 30-14, sealing the win.
Vanderbilt’s final hope faded when Alabama’s defense intercepted a pass on a promising drive. The Tide’s defense preserved the lead and secured the hard-fought victory.
Key player stats
- Alabama QB Ty Simpson: 23/31, 340 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
- Alabama RB Jam Miller: 22 carries, 136 yards, 1 TD
- Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia: 21/35, 198 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
This wasn’t a game of fireworks, but it was a statement. Under Kalen DeBoer’s leadership,
Alabama showed grit, discipline, and a refusal to be defined by last year’s defeat. Sometimes
revenge isn’t about dramatic moments—it’s about execution, resilience, and finishing what
you started.
With the win, Alabama improves to 4-1 while handing Vanderbilt their first loss, dropping
them to 5-1. The Tide will now hit the road to face Missouri (5-0) next Saturday, October 11,
at 12 p.m. ET on ABC.
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