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U.S. Edition Est. 2026 Oct. 17, 2026

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Tennessee Beats Alabama 26-10 as Defense Smothers the Tide at Neyland

No. 14 Tennessee forced four turnovers and held No. 7 Alabama to 201 yards in a 26-10 win at Neyland Stadium on Saturday, the Volunteers' third straight home win in the rivalry.

By admin Oct. 17, 2026 · 7:51 PM ET 2 min read

A packed college football stadium in orange and white under floodlights at night.

No. 14 Tennessee rode a punishing defense to a 26-10 win over No. 7 Alabama on Saturday night at Neyland Stadium. The Volunteers forced four turnovers, recorded nine tackles for loss and held the Crimson Tide to 201 yards of total offense in the 109th meeting of the “Third Saturday in October” rivalry.

A defender in an orange uniform tackles a ball carrier in a crimson uniform during a night game.

Alabama’s only touchdown came in the second quarter after Tennessee quarterback George MacIntyre’s pass was intercepted deep in Volunteers territory. On the next play, Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell ran 19 yards up the middle for the score. MacIntyre, a sophomore making his second career start, finished 21-of-31 for 197 yards with the one interception.

Tennessee could not finish drives in the first half despite outgaining Alabama 165-49. Kicker Cooper Ranvier made four field goals from 29, 33, 41 and 34 yards, all before halftime, as the Volunteers took a 12-10 lead into the break. Alabama managed just 93 total yards in the first half and went 0-for-7 on third down.

Bishop takes over in the second half

A running back in an orange uniform carries the ball at night, breaking past two defenders.

Running back DeSean Bishop ran for 159 yards and two touchdowns, both on five-yard carries. His first score put Tennessee ahead 19-10 in the third quarter; his second capped a 15-play drive that burned more than nine minutes off the clock and pushed the lead to 26-10 with just over three minutes left.

The Tennessee defense closed the game the way it played all night. It stopped Alabama on fourth-and-short to open the second half and forced another punt with 12:49 remaining. Dejuan Lane intercepted Russell in the first quarter, and Jeremiah Telander forced a fumble on Alabama’s first series of the game.

Fans in orange wave towels and pom-poms in the stands at night.

The win was Tennessee’s third straight over Alabama in Knoxville, keeping the Volunteers undefeated at home in the rivalry since coach Josh Heupel arrived in 2021. Tennessee moved to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in the SEC; Alabama fell to 5-2 and 3-2. Tennessee plays at South Carolina on Oct. 24 (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN/SEC Network).

Tennessee left tackle David Sanders Jr. left the game in the first half with a leg injury after grabbing his right knee. He was replaced by Ory Williams.

Reporting based on coverage by Knox News.

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