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Tennessee football: Key moments and turning points in Vols loss to Alabama

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 20: Jaylen Waddle #17 of the Alabama Crimson Tide is tackled by Defensive back Marquill Osborne #3 of the Tennessee Volunteers and Defensive back Shawn Shamburger #12 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 20: Jaylen Waddle #17 of the Alabama Crimson Tide is tackled by Defensive back Marquill Osborne #3 of the Tennessee Volunteers and Defensive back Shawn Shamburger #12 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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Tennessee football’s 58-21 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide did have a few fireworks. Here are some key moments as the Volunteers were another Bama victim.

Even in a blowout loss, Tennessee football showed some real signs of being able to compete at times. As Jarrett Guarantano went out with an injury, and while the Vols were unable to run the ball at all until late, Keller Chryst and the receivers were able to show what they could do. But, like many teams facing Nick Saban’s squad, the defense fell apart trying to guard Tua Tagovailoa. They sometimes were in perfect position to make plays, but it didn’t matter. Tagovailoa would still make the perfect play.

Even still, the key moments to make this game a blowout were blatant. And they were a bit embarrassing. Now, there are some key moments within the scope of the season for the Vols, such as the Jarrett Guarantano injury, Keller Chryst throwing two touchdown passes, and Kyle Phillips making a play that resulted in another defensive touchdown. But here are the key plays that dictated the outcome of Tennessee football’s loss to Alabama.

Tua Tagovailoa converts 3rd and 10 on opening drive

This isn’t one that anybody is going to remember. But after a 12-yard completion to open the game and a couple of key runs to get past midfield, Tua Tagovailoa had thrown two straight incompletions against Tennessee football’s defense. There were legitimate questions if the knee was bothering him. But then Jeremy Pruitt made a questionable defensive call on 3rd and 10, dropping a defensive lineman in spy in case Tagovailoa ran on that injured leg, allowing him to convert that third down play with a pass to Jaylen Waddle. Alabama scored after that to go up 7-0. But the Vols could have been the first team all year to stop them on their opening offensive drive.

Alabama recovers Jarrett Guarantano fumble

Down 7-0, Jarrett Guarantano missed a first down pass to Marquez Callaway. Then, on 3rd and 10, a whiff by the left side of the offensive line caused him to be hit as he threw it. Just like against the Florida Gators, the play resulted in a fumble by Guarantano. It put the Crimson Tide in complete control of the game early as they were able to score another touchdown to go up 14-0.

Jaylen Waddle catches 77-yard touchdown pass from Tua Tagovailoa

After falling behind 14-0, Tennessee football’s offensive line play remained horrendous. As a result, the Vols had to punt it this time to the Crimson Tide. And a 54-yard punt meant nothing. This was the play to break the game open, as Tua Tagovailoa hit Jaylen Waddle on the first play of the next drive to give the Tide a 21-0 lead. This was the play to make it clear that, once again, Alabama would be in blowout mode, and the other team would have to play catch-up.

Alabama recovers attempted onside kick by Tennessee football

Down 28-0, the Vols saw Jarrett Guarantano get hurt, but Keller Chryst came in and threw a touchdown pass to make the game 28-7. With his team set to get the ball in the second half, Jeremy Pruitt tried his third onside kick of the year. A recovery for his hot offense could result in another touchdown to make this a game. Unfortunately for the Vols, they failed to execute the perfect onside kick call for the third straight time. The ball bounced off of Jeremy Banks before it went 10 yards, giving Alabama the ball near midfield. Tagovailoa led another touchdown drive to make it 35-7, and the teams just traded touchdowns at the end of the half to make it 42-14.

Tennessee surrenders safety to open second half

This was a turning point made by two plays. At halftime, Jeremy Pruitt apparently called out his players and noted that some guys are doing things the right thing but made it clear in two separate interviews that he would need to find more recruits to compete with Alabama. Well, Ty Chandler didn’t help that, as on the opening second-half kickoff, he caught the ball and THEN waved fair-catch. By doing it in that order, the Vols had to take over where he waved, which was inside their own three-yard line. On the next play, Keller Chryst tripped over Chance Hall and fell into the end zone, resulting in a safety. So ended any chance for Tennessee football to make a statement down now 44-14 in the second half, and by punting, they inevitably allowed another touchdown to fall behind 51-14. That was it. The Vols had no chance to make this interesting after that.

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