The showdown between No. 7 Alabama and No. 11 Tennessee in the Southeastern Conference was one of the most anticipated college football games in Week 8.
This matchup lived up to the hype and went down to the wire.
The Crimson Tide lost 24-17, dropping their record to 5-2 on the year and ending their College Football Playoff hopes.
Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe and Tennessee signalman Nico Iamareaba got off to a slow start. Volunteer fans and perhaps the coaching staff held their breath when Imareaba went down after a heavy tackle. However, the redshirt freshman returned to the game after being tested at a sideline medical tent.
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Tennessee Volunts player Niko Iamareaba (age 8) throws a ball while being hit by Ke Robinson (age 34) of the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second quarter at Nissan Stadium in Knoxville on October 19, 2024. ). (Butch Dill/Getty Images)
With the quarterback's return, Volante seemed to regain momentum immediately, but he quickly made his only interception of the day.
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Chris Brazell II made a 16-yard diving touchdown catch from Imareaba midway through the fourth quarter. Volante running back Dylan Sampson ran for 139 yards and two touchdowns.
Alabama football coach Karen DeBoer during a game against Tennessee on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Knoxville. (Saul Young/News Sentinel/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
Alabama is fully committed to the remainder of the season. Milroe finished the game with 239 passing yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Alabama had just 89 rushing yards compared to Tennessee's 214.
Alabama, which was leading 21-17, got the ball on its own in the 30th minute with 2 minutes and 25 seconds left in regulation time. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on wide receiver Kendrick Law halted the Crimson Tide's momentum, and Tennessee extended its lead to seven points with a field goal on its next possession.
Tennessee overcame three turnovers in the first half and led 7-0 at halftime.
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel calls his team back after receiving an interception during a game against Alabama on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville. (Katie McMekin/News Sentinel/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
With one minute left in the third quarter, the Volanches took a 14-10 lead for the first time in the game. Imaleaba connected with Donte Thornton 55 yards to the Alabama 3, and Sampson barreled in from 3 yards to go.
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Early in the fourth quarter, Alabama answered the Vols with Judge Haynes' 7-yard touchdown run to take a 17-14 lead. Jermie Bernard set the stage for Milroe with a 28-yard reception.
The Crimson Tide will be back next week when they host Missouri State. Tennessee has a bye week.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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