Alabama at Tennessee

Saturday, October 20, 2012

No. 1 Alabama beat Tennessee 44–⁠13. It was their 94th meeting; after it, Alabama led the series 50–⁠37–⁠7 as played.

Away1Alabama13–⁠1 in 2012
44
HomeTennessee5–⁠7 in 2012
13

Final at Neyland Stadium, KnoxvilleTV: ESPN, ESPNMAttendance 102,455

At kickoff
59°F, overcast, wind 6 mph from the southwestWeather: NOAA NCEI Integrated Surface Database; Mc Ghee Tyson Airport (KTYS), 16 km from the stadium, seven minutes before kickoff

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Alabama71671444
Tennessee370313

Standouts

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, free licenses; credits on each player’s page.

Player stats

Alabama

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
A.J. McCarron17/2230640
RushingCarYdsTDLong
T.J. Yeldon15129243
Eddie Lacy1779014
Kenyan Drake422010
Blake Sims41004
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Amari Cooper7162254
Kenny Bell268139
Kevin Norwood243035
Eddie Lacy31807
InterceptionsIntYdsTD
Robert Lester100
C.J. Mosley100

Tennessee

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Tyler Bray13/2718402
Justin Worley3/41900
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Marlin Lane1555012
Devrin Young52107
A.J. Johnson3614
Alton Howard2302
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Justin Hunter470044
Marlin Lane548026
Mychal Rivera143043
Cordarrelle Patterson125025

From CollegeFootballData’s box score. Names lead to each player’s page. ★ a career high on file.

Team stats

AlabamaTennessee
539Total yards282
306Passing yards203
233Rushing yards79
13.9Yards per pass6.5
5.2Yards per rush2.9
23First downs11
6–⁠12Third downs2–⁠13
0–⁠0Fourth downs0–⁠2
1Turnovers2
4–⁠23Penalties2–⁠15
36:35Possession22:34

Efficiency

AlabamaTennessee
44%Success rate34%
0.30EPA per play−0.16
1.14Explosiveness0.81
0.11Rushing EPA−0.28
0.74Passing EPA−0.03
31%Passing-down success17%
0.13First-down EPA0.06
0.27Second-down EPA−0.29
0.83Third-down EPA−0.03

From CollegeFootballData.com: each offense’s efficiency, and the havoc each defense caused. The better side of each line is bold.

Before kickoff

Our ratings going in

Our ratings (scores only)

Alabama 83% to win. Elo’s favorite won.

Every drive

Tennessee end zoneAlabama end zoneQ1 TennesseePunt, 3 playsQ1 AlabamaPunt, 3 playsQ1 TennesseePunt, 3 playsQ1 AlabamaTouchdown pass, 6 playsQ1 TennesseeField goal, 11 playsQ1 AlabamaMissed FG, 11 playsQ2 TennesseeInterception, 3 playsQ2 AlabamaTouchdown run, 4 playsQ2 TennesseePunt, 4 playsQ2 AlabamaTouchdown pass, 4 playsQ2 TennesseeTouchdown run, 3 playsQ2 AlabamaField goal, 8 playsQ2 TennesseeEnd of half, 5 playsQ3 AlabamaMissed FG, 6 playsQ3 TennesseePunt, 3 playsQ3 AlabamaPunt, 3 playsQ3 TennesseeTurnover on downs, 4 playsQ3 AlabamaTouchdown pass, 6 playsQ3 TennesseeInterception, 3 playsQ3 AlabamaTouchdown pass, 6 playsQ4 TennesseeTurnover on downs, 7 playsQ4 AlabamaTouchdown run, 3 playsQ4 TennesseeFumble, 5 playsQ4 AlabamaFumble, 2 playsQ4 TennesseeField goal, 5 playsQ4 AlabamaEnd of game, 6 plays
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. Tennessee drives left to right, Alabama right to left.
  1. Q1 TennesseePunt, 3 plays, 7 yards
  2. Q1 AlabamaPunt, 3 plays, 6 yards
  3. Q1 TennesseePunt, 3 plays, 2 yards
  4. Q1 AlabamaTouchdown pass, 6 plays, 47 yards
  5. Q1 TennesseeField goal, 11 plays, 43 yards
  6. Q1 AlabamaMissed FG, 11 plays, 52 yards
  7. Q2 TennesseeInterception, 3 plays, 0 yards
  8. Q2 AlabamaTouchdown run, 4 plays, 32 yards
  9. Q2 TennesseePunt, 4 plays, 10 yards
  10. Q2 AlabamaTouchdown pass, 4 plays, 72 yards
  11. Q2 TennesseeTouchdown run, 3 plays, 48 yards
  12. Q2 AlabamaField goal, 8 plays, 37 yards
  13. Q2 TennesseeEnd of half, 5 plays, 21 yards
  14. Q3 AlabamaMissed FG, 6 plays, 53 yards
  15. Q3 TennesseePunt, 3 plays, 7 yards
  16. Q3 AlabamaPunt, 3 plays, −3 yards
  17. Q3 TennesseeTurnover on downs, 4 plays, 25 yards
  18. Q3 AlabamaTouchdown pass, 6 plays, 67 yards
  19. Q3 TennesseeInterception, 3 plays, 33 yards
  20. Q3 AlabamaTouchdown pass, 6 plays, 80 yards
  21. Q4 TennesseeTurnover on downs, 7 plays, 67 yards
  22. Q4 AlabamaTouchdown run, 3 plays, 58 yards
  23. Q4 TennesseeFumble, 5 plays, 16 yards
  24. Q4 AlabamaFumble, 2 plays, 5 yards
  25. Q4 TennesseeField goal, 5 plays, −23 yards
  26. Q4 AlabamaEnd of game, 6 plays, 60 yards

Play by play

1st quarter6 drives, then Alabama 7, Tennessee 3
Tennessee Punt, 3 plays
14:501st & 10 at own 25Marlin Lane rush for 3 yards to the Tenn 28.
14:422nd & 7 at own 28Tyler Bray pass complete to Ben Bartholomew for 4 yards to the Tenn 32.
14:013rd & 3 at own 32Tyler Bray pass incomplete to Justin Hunter.
13:494th & 3 at own 32Michael Palardy punt for 44 yards, returned by Cyrus Jones for 3 yards to the Alab 27.
Alabama Punt, 3 plays
13:291st & 10 at own 27Eddie Lacy rush for no gain to the Alab 27.
12:572nd & 10 at own 27AJ McCarron pass complete to Amari Cooper for 6 yards to the Alab 33.
12:213rd & 4 at own 33AJ McCarron pass incomplete.
12:134th & 4 at own 33Cody Mandell punt for 39 yards, punt out-of-bounds at the Tenn 28.
Tennessee Punt, 3 plays
11:571st & 10 at own 28Devrin Young rush for 2 yards to the Tenn 30.
11:462nd & 8 at own 30Tyler Bray pass incomplete.
11:433rd & 8 at own 30Tyler Bray pass incomplete to Cordarrelle Patterson.
11:284th & 8 at own 30Michael Palardy punt for 49 yards, returned by Cyrus Jones for 32 yards to the Tenn 47.
Alabama Touchdown pass, 6 plays
11:221st & 10 at opp 47Eddie Lacy rush for 2 yards to the Tenn 45.
10:442nd & 8 at opp 45AJ McCarron pass complete to Amari Cooper for 12 yards to the Tenn 33 for a 1ST down.
10:081st & 10 at opp 33Eddie Lacy rush for 3 yards to the Tenn 30.
9:112nd & 7 at opp 30Blake Sims rush for 2 yards to the Tenn 28.
8:483rd & 5 at opp 28AJ McCarron pass complete to Michael Williams for 5 yards to the Tenn 23 for a 1ST down.
8:181st & 10 at opp 23AJ McCarron pass complete to Amari Cooper for 23 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Alabama 6, Tennessee 0
8:18Jeremy Shelley extra point GOOD.Alabama 7, Tennessee 0
8:18Cade Foster kickoff for 57 yards returned by Cordarrelle Patterson for 13 yards to the Tenn 21.
Tennessee Field goal, 11 plays
8:001st & 10 at own 21Cordarrelle Patterson rush for no gain to the Tenn 21.
7:202nd & 10 at own 21Marlin Lane rush for 6 yards to the Tenn 27.
6:533rd & 4 at own 27Tyler Bray pass complete to Marlin Lane for 26 yards to the Alab 47 for a 1ST down.
6:381st & 10 at opp 47Marlin Lane rush for 6 yards to the Alab 41.
6:142nd & 4 at opp 41Devrin Young rush for 3 yards to the Alab 38.
5:383rd & 1 at opp 38A.J. Johnson rush for 4 yards to the Alab 34 for a 1ST down.
5:151st & 10 at opp 34Tyler Bray pass complete to Cordarrelle Patterson for 25 yards to the Alab 9 for a 1ST down.
5:011st & goal at opp 9Marlin Lane rush for 1 yard to the Alab 8.
3:572nd & goal at opp 8Cordarrelle Patterson rush for a loss of 6 yards, fumbled, recovered by Tenn Cordarrelle Patterson at the Alab 14.
3:433rd & goal at opp 14Tyler Bray pass incomplete to Justin Hunter.
3:384th & goal at opp 14Michael Palardy 32 yard field goal GOOD.Alabama 7, Tennessee 3
3:38Michael Palardy kickoff for 65 yards for a touchback.
Alabama Missed FG, 11 plays
3:381st & 10 at own 25TENNESSEE penalty 5 yard Offside accepted.
3:301st & 10 at own 30AJ McCarron pass incomplete to Kevin Norwood.
3:222nd & 10 at own 30T.J. Yeldon rush for 1 yard to the Alab 31.
2:563rd & 9 at own 31AJ McCarron pass complete to Amari Cooper for 11 yards to the Alab 42 for a 1ST down.
2:211st & 10 at own 42T.J. Yeldon rush for 5 yards to the Alab 47.
1:342nd & 5 at own 47AJ McCarron pass complete to Kevin Norwood for 8 yards to the Tenn 45 for a 1ST down.
0:581st & 10 at opp 45AJ McCarron rush for 2 yards to the Tenn 43.
0:172nd & 8 at opp 43T.J. Yeldon rush for 5 yards to the Tenn 38.
Q2 14:503rd & 3 at opp 38Eddie Lacy rush for 7 yards to the Tenn 31 for a 1ST down.
Q2 14:161st & 10 at opp 31Eddie Lacy rush for 4 yards to the Tenn 27.
Q2 13:352nd & 6 at opp 27AJ McCarron pass incomplete to Christion Jones.
Q2 13:303rd & 6 at opp 27AJ McCarron pass incomplete to Amari Cooper.
Q2 13:244th & 6 at opp 27Cade Foster 44 yard field goal MISSED.
2nd quarter7 drives, then Alabama 23, Tennessee 10
Tennessee Interception, 3 plays
13:171st & 10 at own 27Tyler Bray pass incomplete to Justin Hunter.
13:172nd & 10 at own 27Timeout TENNESSEE, clock 13:17.
13:122nd & 10 at own 27Tyler Bray pass incomplete to Cordarrelle Patterson.
13:073rd & 10 at own 27Tyler Bray pass intercepted by C.J. Mosley at the Tenn 32, returned for no gain to the Tenn 32.
Alabama Touchdown run, 4 plays
12:441st & 10 at opp 32T.J. Yeldon rush for 8 yards to the Tenn 24.
12:272nd & 2 at opp 24T.J. Yeldon rush for 4 yards to the Tenn 20 for a 1ST down.
11:491st & 10 at opp 20T.J. Yeldon rush for 19 yards to the Tenn 1 for a 1ST down.
11:231st & goal at opp 1T.J. Yeldon rush for 1 yard for a TOUCHDOWN.Alabama 13, Tennessee 3
11:23Team extra point MISSED.
11:23Cade Foster kickoff for 65 yards for a touchback.
Tennessee Punt, 4 plays
11:121st & 10 at own 25Marlin Lane rush for 9 yards to the Tenn 34.
10:502nd & 1 at own 34ALABAMA penalty 5 yard Offside on Vinnie Sunseri accepted.
10:251st & 10 at own 39Marlin Lane rush for 2 yards to the Tenn 41.
9:462nd & 8 at own 41Marlin Lane rush for no gain to the Tenn 41.
9:063rd & 8 at own 41Tyler Bray pass complete to Devrin Young for a loss of 6 yards to the Tenn 35.
8:404th & 14 at own 35Michael Palardy punt for 50 yards, returned by Cyrus Jones for 23 yards to the Alab 28, ALABAMA penalty 10 yard Holding accepted.
Alabama Touchdown pass, 4 plays
8:251st & 10 at own 28Eddie Lacy rush for 3 yards to the Alab 31.
7:462nd & 7 at own 31AJ McCarron pass complete to Amari Cooper for 54 yards to the Tenn 15 for a 1ST down.
7:211st & 10 at opp 15Eddie Lacy rush for 14 yards to the Tenn 1 for a 1ST down.
6:551st & goal at opp 1AJ McCarron pass complete to Michael Williams for 1 yard for a TOUCHDOWN.Alabama 19, Tennessee 3
6:55Jeremy Shelley extra point GOOD.Alabama 20, Tennessee 3
6:55Cade Foster kickoff for 58 yards returned by Cordarrelle Patterson for 45 yards to the Alab 48.
Tennessee Touchdown run, 3 plays
6:361st & 10 at opp 48Marlin Lane rush for no gain to the Alab 48.
6:022nd & 10 at opp 48Tyler Bray pass complete to Mychal Rivera for 43 yards to the Alab 5 for a 1ST down.
5:491st & 0 at opp 5ALABAMA penalty 3 yard 12 Men on the Field accepted.
5:321st & goal at opp 2A.J. Johnson rush for 2 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Alabama 20, Tennessee 9
5:32Michael Palardy extra point GOOD.Alabama 20, Tennessee 10
5:32Michael Palardy kickoff for 62 yards returned by Cyrus Jones for 27 yards to the Alab 30.
Alabama Field goal, 8 plays
5:141st & 10 at own 30AJ McCarron pass complete to Amari Cooper for 14 yards to the Alab 44 for a 1ST down.
4:371st & 10 at own 44AJ McCarron pass incomplete.
4:282nd & 10 at own 44Blake Sims rush for 4 yards to the Alab 48.
3:543rd & 6 at own 48AJ McCarron pass complete to Kenny Bell for 29 yards to the Tenn 23 for a 1ST down.
3:251st & 10 at opp 23Eddie Lacy rush for 3 yards to the Tenn 20.
2:412nd & 7 at opp 20Eddie Lacy rush for 4 yards to the Tenn 16.
1:563rd & 3 at opp 16Eddie Lacy rush for a loss of 1 yard to the Tenn 17.
1:244th & 4 at opp 17Jeremy Shelley 34 yard field goal GOOD.Alabama 23, Tennessee 10
1:24Cade Foster kickoff for 60 yards returned by Cordarrelle Patterson for 17 yards to the Tenn 22.
Tennessee End of half, 5 plays
1:001st & 10 at own 22Tyler Bray pass complete to Marlin Lane for 7 yards to the Tenn 29.
0:482nd & 3 at own 29Tyler Bray pass complete to Marlin Lane for 5 yards to the Tenn 34 for a 1ST down.
0:261st & 10 at own 34Tyler Bray pass complete to Marlin Lane for 3 yards to the Tenn 37.
0:112nd & 7 at own 37Tyler Bray pass incomplete to Justin Hunter.
0:013rd & 7 at own 37Marlin Lane rush for 6 yards to the Tenn 43.
Q3 15:00Michael Palardy kickoff for 65 yards for a touchback.
3rd quarter7 drives, then Alabama 30, Tennessee 10
Alabama Missed FG, 6 plays
14:551st & 10 at own 25AJ McCarron pass complete to Christion Jones for 9 yards to the Alab 34.
14:242nd & 1 at own 34Eddie Lacy rush for 5 yards to the Alab 39 for a 1ST down.
13:491st & 10 at own 39AJ McCarron pass complete to Kevin Norwood for 35 yards to the Tenn 26 for a 1ST down.
12:551st & 10 at opp 26AJ McCarron sacked by Darrington Sentimore for a loss of 10 yards to the Tenn 36.
12:252nd & 20 at opp 36Eddie Lacy rush for 6 yards to the Tenn 30.
11:413rd & 14 at opp 30ALABAMA penalty 5 yard Illegal Formation accepted.
11:293rd & 19 at opp 35AJ McCarron pass complete to Eddie Lacy for 7 yards to the Tenn 28.
10:544th & 12 at opp 28Cade Foster 45 yard field goal MISSED.
Tennessee Punt, 3 plays
10:451st & 10 at own 28Devrin Young rush for 5 yards to the Tenn 33.
10:172nd & 5 at own 33Alton Howard rush for 2 yards to the Tenn 35.
9:433rd & 3 at own 35Tyler Bray pass incomplete.
9:344th & 3 at own 35Michael Palardy punt for 56 yards, punt out-of-bounds at the Alab 9.
Alabama Punt, 3 plays
9:261st & 10 at own 9T.J. Yeldon rush for no gain to the Alab 9.
8:492nd & 10 at own 9T.J. Yeldon rush for 2 yards to the Alab 11.
7:573rd & 8 at own 11AJ McCarron sacked by Maurice Couch for a loss of 5 yards to the Alab 6.
7:294th & 13 at own 6Cody Mandell punt for 49 yards, returned by Devrin Young for 13 yards to the Alab 42.
Tennessee Turnover on downs, 4 plays
7:221st & 10 at opp 42Tyler Bray pass incomplete to Cordarrelle Patterson.
7:092nd & 10 at opp 42Marlin Lane rush for 9 yards to the Alab 33.
6:403rd & 1 at opp 33Timeout TENNESSEE, clock 6:40.
6:343rd & 1 at opp 33Tyler Bray pass incomplete.
6:274th & 1 at opp 33A.J. Johnson rush for no gain to the Alab 33.
Alabama Touchdown pass, 6 plays
6:171st & 10 at own 33AJ McCarron pass complete to Eddie Lacy for 4 yards to the Alab 37.
5:322nd & 6 at own 37Eddie Lacy rush for 1 yard to the Alab 38.
4:523rd & 5 at own 38AJ McCarron pass complete to Eddie Lacy for 7 yards to the Alab 45 for a 1ST down.
4:161st & 10 at own 45Eddie Lacy rush for 5 yards to the 50 yard line.
3:372nd & 5 at the 50Eddie Lacy rush for 8 yards to the Tenn 42 for a 1ST down.
2:561st & 10 at opp 42AJ McCarron pass complete to Amari Cooper for 42 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Alabama 29, Tennessee 10
2:56Jeremy Shelley extra point GOOD.Alabama 30, Tennessee 10
2:56Cade Foster kickoff for 63 yards returned by Cordarrelle Patterson for 36 yards to the Tenn 38.
Tennessee Interception, 3 plays
2:351st & 10 at own 38Tyler Bray pass complete to Justin Hunter for 44 yards to the Alab 18 for a 1ST down.
2:011st & 10 at opp 18TENNESSEE penalty 10 yard Holding accepted, no play.
1:471st & 20 at opp 28Tyler Bray pass complete to Marlin Lane for 7 yards to the Alab 21.
1:192nd & 13 at opp 21Tyler Bray pass intercepted by Robert Lester at the Alab 0, returned for no gain for a touchback.
Alabama Touchdown pass, 6 plays
0:481st & 10 at own 20T.J. Yeldon rush for 3 yards to the Alab 23.
0:322nd & 7 at own 23T.J. Yeldon rush for 13 yards to the Alab 36 for a 1ST down.
Q4 14:501st & 10 at own 36T.J. Yeldon rush for 7 yards to the Alab 43.
Q4 14:082nd & 3 at own 43T.J. Yeldon rush for 16 yards to the Tenn 41 for a 1ST down.
Q4 13:281st & 10 at opp 41T.J. Yeldon rush for 2 yards to the Tenn 39.
Q4 12:462nd & 8 at opp 39AJ McCarron pass complete to Kenny Bell for 39 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Alabama 36, Tennessee 10
Q4 12:46Jeremy Shelley extra point GOOD.Alabama 37, Tennessee 10
Q4 12:46Cade Foster kickoff for 65 yards for a touchback.
4th quarter6 drives, then Alabama 44, Tennessee 13
Tennessee Turnover on downs, 7 plays
12:391st & 10 at own 25Tyler Bray pass complete to Justin Hunter for 11 yards to the Tenn 36 for a 1ST down.
12:221st & 10 at own 36Tyler Bray pass complete to Justin Hunter for 9 yards to the Tenn 45.
12:012nd & 1 at own 45Marlin Lane rush for 12 yards to the Alab 43 for a 1ST down.
11:441st & 10 at opp 43Tyler Bray pass incomplete to Cordarrelle Patterson.
11:292nd & 10 at opp 43Marlin Lane rush for a loss of 5 yards to the Alab 48.
10:513rd & 15 at opp 48Tyler Bray pass complete to Justin Hunter for 6 yards to the Alab 42.
10:284th & 9 at opp 42Tyler Bray pass incomplete to Cordarrelle Patterson.
Alabama Touchdown run, 3 plays
10:151st & 10 at own 42Eddie Lacy rush for 9 yards to the Tenn 49.
9:322nd & 1 at opp 49Eddie Lacy rush for 6 yards to the Tenn 43 for a 1ST down.
9:071st & 10 at opp 43T.J. Yeldon rush for 43 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.Alabama 43, Tennessee 10
9:07Jeremy Shelley extra point GOOD.Alabama 44, Tennessee 10
9:07Cade Foster kickoff for 65 yards for a touchback.
Tennessee Fumble, 5 plays
9:001st & 10 at own 25Devrin Young rush for 7 yards to the Tenn 32.
8:422nd & 3 at own 32Devrin Young rush for 4 yards to the Tenn 36 for a 1ST down.
8:091st & 10 at own 36Justin Worley pass complete to Alton Howard for 4 yards to the Tenn 40.
7:362nd & 6 at own 40Alton Howard rush for 1 yard to the Tenn 41.
7:053rd & 5 at own 41Justin Worley pass complete to Devrin Young for no gain to the Tenn 41.
6:344th & 5 at own 41Michael Palardy punt for 42 yards, returned by Cyrus Jones for 1 yard, fumbled, recovered by Alab Dee Milliner at the Alab 18.
Alabama Fumble, 2 plays
6:251st & 10 at own 18Kenyan Drake rush for 5 yards to the Alab 23.
5:572nd & 5 at own 23Blake Sims rush for 1 yard, fumbled, recovered by Tenn Dontavis Sapp at the Alab 24.
Tennessee Field goal, 5 plays
5:441st & 10 at opp 24Marlin Lane rush for 4 yards to the Alab 20.
5:212nd & 6 at opp 20Justin Worley pass complete to Brendan Downs for 15 yards to the Alab 5 for a 1ST down.
5:051st & goal at opp 5Marlin Lane rush for 2 yards to the Alab 3.
4:342nd & goal at opp 3Marlin Lane rush for no gain to the Alab 3.
4:033rd & goal at opp 3Justin Worley pass incomplete to Alton Howard.
3:574th & goal at opp 3Michael Palardy 21 yard field goal GOOD.Alabama 44, Tennessee 13
3:57Michael Palardy kickoff for 42 yards returned by Harrison Jones for 9 yards to the Alab 32.
Alabama End of game, 6 plays
3:471st & 10 at own 32Kenyan Drake rush for 1 yard to the Alab 33.
2:502nd & 9 at own 33Kenyan Drake rush for 6 yards to the Alab 39.
2:253rd & 3 at own 39Kenyan Drake rush for 10 yards to the Alab 49 for a 1ST down.
1:171st & 10 at own 49Blake Sims rush for 3 yards to the Tenn 48.
0:452nd & 7 at opp 48Brent Calloway rush for 1 yard to the Tenn 47.
0:103rd & 6 at opp 47Brent Calloway rush for 5 yards to the Tenn 42.

Play-by-play from CollegeFootballData.com, as its scorers wrote it. The clock is the time left in the quarter; the spot is from the side of the team with the ball.

Officially, Alabama leads 60–⁠41–⁠6; as played, 61–⁠40–⁠7 in 108 meetings, counting the 14 since this game.

Recent meetings
2026Tennessee 26, Alabama 10
2025Alabama 37, Tennessee 20
2024Tennessee 24, Alabama 17
2023Alabama 34, Tennessee 20
2022Tennessee 52, Alabama 49
2021Alabama 52, Tennessee 24

Around this game