Tennessee football: Highlights from Vols’ 48-17 loss to Alabama

Here are clips from the Tennessee football Volunteers’ loss to the Crimson Tide.

There weren’t many moments for Tennessee football to remember in this one. The Vols lost to the Alabama Crimson Tide 48-17, falling to 2-3 on the year while Alabama moved to 5-0. Here are video highlights from both sides in this game.

Najee Harris one-yard touchdown run

On the play before, Tennessee football appeared to force and recover a fumble, but the refs didn’t grant it to them. Najee Harris gave the Alabama Crimson Tide a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter on the next play, capping off a 70-yard drive.

Mac Jones completes 45-yard pass to John Metchie III

In the first half, the Vols’ secondary could not force Mac Jones to throw any incomplete passes. After getting the ball back up 7-0, he found John Metchie III for a deep pass over the middle and converted for 45 yards in spite of two UT defenders being there.

Najee Harris breaks multiple tackles on a 3rd and short

This was an underrated play in the game. The Vols could have gotten a stop here to force a field goal and only trail 10-0. However, Najee Harris broke multiple tackles and turned a clear loss into a first down, keeping the drive alive.

Brian Robinson seven-yard touchdown run

While Najee Harris and Mac Jones were doing most of the work, Brian Robinson got in on the action here. This was on Alabama’s next offensive drive, making it meaningless when Tennessee football settled for a field goal. Robinson broke multiple tackles for the touchdown run and give Bama a 21-3 first half lead.

Jarrett Guarantano 38-yard touchdown pass to Jalin Hyatt

It took Jim Chaney and Jeremy Pruitt some time, but they decided to take a shot down the field. Just before this play, Josh Palmer dropped a pass that looked like a pass interference. They did it again, and Jarrett Guarantano found Hyatt for the touchdown.

Mac Jones completes another 45-yard pass to John Metchie III

Once again, it was into double-coverage. On 2nd and 7 near midfield, the Vols had a chance to get the ball back and potentially make a run. Bryce Thompson was there for the interception. However, Jones dropped in a dime, and Metchie came down with it.

Malachi Moore returns Eric Gray fumble for a touchdown

The Vols got the ball to start the second half down 28-10, and it still didn’t take long for the Alabama Crimson Tide to expand their lead. Defensive back Malachi Moore forced an Eric Gray fumble and recovered it, running it back 28 yards for a score to put the Tide up 35-10.

Najee Harris one-yard touchdown run

After going up 35-10, Alabama forced two punts but had a fumble in between. Then they had an 11-play 80-yard drive, and Najee Harris capped it off with this third-quarter touchdown run, his third of the day, to give Alabama a 42-10 lead.

Jarrett Guarantano 27-yard touchdown pass to Josh Palmer

Again, Jim Chaney decided to go deep. Down 42-10, Jarrett Guarantano hit Jalin Hyatt first for a 48-yard gain, and that should have been a 75-yard touchdown, but he was ruled out. On the next play, however, he found Josh Palmer for this touchdown pass.

The two deep touchdown passes by Tennessee football were the only highlights of the day for the Vols. It doesn’t seem like much, but it’s something for Jim Chaney and Jeremy Pruitt to work with during the bye. That’s the best encouragement we can give from this game.