All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee football: Five takeaways from Vols’ 52-49 win vs. Alabama

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) celebrates with fans after Tennessee's 52-49 win over Alabama in Neyland Stadium, on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.Tennesseevsalabama1015 5568 1
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) celebrates with fans after Tennessee's 52-49 win over Alabama in Neyland Stadium, on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.Tennesseevsalabama1015 5568 1 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Aug 7, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a yellow penalty flag on the field during the Arizona Cardinals Red and White training camp practice at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 7, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a yellow penalty flag on the field during the Arizona Cardinals Red and White training camp practice at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Penalties made a huge difference.

Both Tennessee football and Alabama had penalty issues coming into this game. Well, it was clear which team had the bigger problem. Even with Bryce Young in at quarterback, Alabama had mistake after mistake in offensive formations and protection all night, and that killed multiple drives and cost them the game.

The Tide finished with 17 penalties for 130 yards. Rocky Top committed six penalties for 39 yards, and one was off a bogus pass interference call late in the game. Simply put, by every metric, they were the more disciplined team, and that had a huge impact in the game.

Late in the game, this was very clear. Alabama seemingly had an interception that should’ve iced it when leading 49-42, but on a 4th and 6, they got hit with a pass interference. It was the right call too, albeit unnecessary, and the Vols then scored a touchdown to tie it up.

That didn’t tell the full story, though. What really stands out is all the formation mistakes Alabama made, and you have to credit the crowd for that. The noise was insane 15 minutes before kickoff, and it never let up. UT won this game by being at home as much as anything, and that was evident with how they rushed the field at the end.

Home/Vols Football