KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – A haze of cigar smoke filled the Tennessee interview room – the entirety of Neyland Stadium, for that matter – and former Vols great Alvin Kamara peeked through the curtain as the raspy Josh Heupel did his best to paint what was another memorable third Saturday in October for the Vols.

Tennessee had suffered 15 straight losses to bitter rival Alabama when Heupel arrived as Tennessee’s coach in 2021. Now in its fourth season, the Vols have won two of their last three against the Crimson Tide, the last a 24-17 conquest in which Tennessee bounces back from its third consecutive scoreless first half, finally finding some explosive plays in the passing game in the second half and leans on a defense that Heupel called both “elite” and “special” after watching that unit hold an opponent to under 20 points the seventh straight game this season.

“When we got here, I never talked about it because at the end of the day, no one cares. They care what the scoreboard looks like every week,” Heupel said. “There were obstacles as a program that we had to navigate and overcome, and as a coaching staff, administration and our players, we did that in a pretty special way. Not perfect… and as a program we have to improve.” year.

“But I really feel like we’re just getting started as a program.”

This game wasn’t a thriller in the same way as the 52-49 game two years ago in Knoxville that ended with a last-second field goal, but the aftermath was similar. Tennessee fans stormed the field, tore down the goalposts and happily puffed on victory cigars, a longstanding tradition in a rivalry that dates back to 1901.

Kamara then joined numerous former Tennessee players in the locker room to celebrate as the No. 11 Vols bounced back from a three-turnover first half to take advantage of a No. 7 Crimson Tide team that committed a whopping 15 penalties for 115 committed. meters.

In an SEC race that’s getting crazier by the week, every win is precious. But even Heupel wasn’t about to downplay what beating Alabama means to everyone at Rocky Top.

“You are a Vol for Life, that’s not just words,” Heupel said. “Being the second time (beating Alabama) … this program, when we walk on the field, we feel like we’re good enough to win every Saturday. Does this matter? Yeah, absolutely. You know the historic nature of this game, what it means to the fanbase and within our walls and in the new landscape of the league.

“The expectation was to play good football tonight and we did that defensively for sixty minutes. Offensively we were on the right side and enough special teams.”

Tennessee (6-1, 3-1) has won two in a row since being upset by Arkansas on Oct. 5, including a 23-17 overtime escape at home last week against Florida.

And while the offensive doldrums in the first half remain an issue, redshirt quarterback Nico Iamaleava showed his mettle in the second half after taking a number of big hits in the first half that forced him out of the game and disconnected in several spots could make with open receivers. of deep balls.

After a shaky first half, Iamaleava threw a 55-yard strike down the right sideline to Dont’e Thornton Jr., setting up a Dylan Sampson 3-yard touchdown run to give Tennessee a 14-10 lead late in the third quarter.

After Alabama regained the lead at 17-14, Iamaleava threw a 16-yard touchdown to a diving Chris Brazzell II in the back of the end zone on a third-and-5 play to put the Vols ahead for good.

Iamaleava, who had an interception in the first half, also did damage running the ball, including a key 27-yard rush in the third quarter that led to Tennessee’s first touchdown. He said he wasn’t going to let another lackluster first half from the Vols on offense beat him.

“It’s the next-play mentality,” Iamaleava said. “Like Coach Heupel preaches, you have to keep fighting and stay strong for our guys, and I’m glad we were able to do that.”

It wasn’t over until Alabama native and walk-on Will Brooks intercepted Jalen Milroe inside the final two minutes. Brooks also made what was likely a touchdown-saving tackle in the first quarter when he tripped Milroe on a third-and-short play.

Brooks’ teammate, linebacker Arion Carter, said it was important for the defense to find a way and “give the offense something to stand up on and be able to finish the game.”

Carter then turned to Brooks and paid tribute to the redshirt senior safety.

“Let me just say this: this guy is one of the most unselfish people you will ever meet for the team, does his job at an extremely high level and holds everyone accountable,” Carter said. “Just having him next to me and working together on the field… I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Tennessee held Alabama (5-2, 2-2) to 75 rushing yards and kept Milroe locked up the entire game. He was intercepted twice and finished with 11 rushing yards on 14 carries, including three sacks.

As the Vols defense continued to stifle the Tide in the second half, the crowd of 101,915 only grew raucous.

“Oh yeah, it was great, especially those last few rides,” Carter said. “It was so loud that (Alabama) couldn’t set up their pass protection. Just the fact that a crowd like that was screaming behind you is definitely a great feeling, especially if you have the confidence to go out and dominate.”

Sampson, who now has 17 rushing touchdowns on the season, finished with 139 yards on 26 carries. He had 127 of those yards in the second half, punishing a tiring Alabama defense.

But at halftime, when the Vols were scoreless, Sampson said it was the defense that got everyone in the locker room.

“Obviously our defense is there and gives us confidence,” Sampson said. “We made it quite difficult for them in the first half, but they play their best regardless of who is in the game and you respect that.

“That lights a fire, and if it doesn’t, there’s something wrong.”