NASHVILLE, Tennessee — In a crowd heavily donned in crimson, white and gray, Alabama football was stunned into silence Saturday afternoon by Vanderbilt.
One week after a dramatic victory against Georgia, the No. 2 Crimson Tide fell victim to the “rat trap” game, falling to Vanderbilt 40-35 and igniting pandemonium at FirstBank Stadium for Alabama’s first loss of the Kalen DeBoer era.
Alabama’s loss to Vanderbilt was its first outright loss against the team since 1984. Three previous Alabama wins against the Commodores were either vacated or forfeited.
Diego Pavia and the Vanderbilt offense secured the win with five minutes left, scoring his second touchdown pass of the day to Kamrean Johnson to give the Commodores a 12-point advantage.
Jalen Milroe and the Alabama offense, which had 396 yards of offense – the same as the Commodores offense – scored a touchdown with 2:46 left on a 2-yard end around to freshman Ryan Williams. But a Vanderbilt first down secured the upset win against the Crimson Tide.
Vanderbilt’s offense held a significant time-of-possession advantage, holding onto the football for more than 40 minutes of game time.
Up next, Alabama will host South Carolina Oct. 12 at 11 a.m.
Watch Alabama football vs Vanderbilt live on Fubo (free trial)
Here’s what happened in Alabama’s 12-point loss to Vanderbilt.
(This story will be updated throughout the game.)
5:07, Q4: Vanderbilt can’t be slowed down. Diego Pavia found Kamrean Johnson for a 6-yard score, giving the Commodores a 40-28 lead.
9:36, Q4: Another turnover has given Vanderbilt possession with less than 10 minutes to go. Jalen Milroe was sacked by Miles Capers, who forced a fumble recovered by the Commodores.
10:35, Q4: Vanderbilt has added a cushion to its lead with a 33-yard field goal, ending a 60-yard drive that lasted 5:26. Alabama trails Vanderbilt 33-28 with 10:35 left in the game.
Alabama trails Vanderbilt 30-28 heading into the fourth quarter with the Commodores at the Alabama 40-yard line.
Ryan Williams does it again. The Alabama freshman took a 58-yard pass from Jalen Milroe, evaded multiple tackles and scored his sixth touchdown of the season. Alabama trails Vanderbilt 30-28.
2:53, Q3: On a fourth-and-short at midfield, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia connected on a 36-yard heave to Junior Sherrill for his first passing touchdown of the day. Vanderbilt leads Alabama 30-21
A highlight-reel throw by Jalen Milroe to Germie Bernard deep in Alabama’s own territory was called back. Milroe was ahead of the line of scrimmage, and the completion was called an illegal forward pass. After an Alabama punt, the Commodores takes over at the Alabama 45-yard line.
6:15, Q3: Vanderbilt’s offense continued to push Alabama’s defense, converting on two third downs and taking nearly six minutes off the clock. But the Crimson Tide forced a punt after multiple tackles-for-loss by Que Robinson.
12:01, Q3: Jalen Milroe and the Alabama offense started fast against the Vanderbilt defense. Milroe led the Crimson Tide on a five-play 53-yard touchdown drive capped off on a 14-yard quarterback rush. Emmanuel Henderson began the drive wit a 46-yard kickoff return.
Alabama has its starting offensive line back at the start of the second half. Jaeden Roberts was back at right guard after Geno VanDeMark played at the end of the first half. Roberts was seen on the sideline with his helmet in hands.
| Alabama | Vanderbilt | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yds | 157 | 186 |
| Pass Yds | 99 | 96 |
| Rush Yds | 58 | 90 |
| Penalties | 3-33 | 2-10 |
| 1st Downs | 6 | 14 |
| 3rd Downs | 2-4 | 7-10 |
| 4th Downs | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Total Plays | 23 | 40 |
| Avg Yds/Play | 6.8 | 4.7 |
| Avg Yds/Completion | 16.5 | 16 |
| Avg Yds/Rush | 4.5 | 3 |
| Sack-Adj Rush Yd(Avg) | 61 (5.1) | 90 (3) |
| Red Zone | 2-2 | 2-2 |
| Time of Poss | 8:32 | 21:28 |
| Turnovers (Def Pts Off) | 1 (6) | 0 (0) |
| Fumbles-Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Sacks (Def Yds) | 0 (0) | 1 (3) |
| TFL (Def Yds) | 3 (4) | 3 (7) |
Alabama has ground to make up in the final 30 minutes against Vanderbilt. The Crimson Tide trail the Commodores 23-14 at halftime.
1:24, Q2: Jam Miller cut into Vanderbilts lead against Alabama with his second touchdown rush of the day, ending a 9-play, 83-yard drive that lasted 2:41. Alabama trails Vanderbilt 23-14
Alabama right guard Geno VanDeMark entered the game for Jaeden Roberts at the two-minute break of the second quarter. Roberts was seen on the sideline with his helmet.
2:24, Q2: A 15-yard pass from Jalen Milroe to Kobe Prentice ended in a targeting review. No foul was given. Alabama has a first down at the 50. Prentice left the game with an injury.
4:10, Q2: Vanderbilt extends its lead to 23-7 after a 51-yard field goal by Brock Taylor
8:20, Q2: Alabama’s offense can’t find any momentum. After an incomplete connection between Jalen Milroe and Ryan Williams on third down, the Crimson Tide will punt. Alabama’s drive lasted three drives for -3 yards: a sack by Nick Rinaldi.
9:24, Q2: A back-breaking turnover has been erased for Alabama football. Emmanuel Henderson lost the football when he was tackled, but was ruled down. Crimson Tide takes over at its own 13-yard line.
9:24, Q2: Vanderbilt has the ball back in Alabama’s red zone after a fumble by Emmanuel Henderson at the 13-yard line.
9:32, Q2: Sedrick Alexander has his second touchdown of the day for Vanderbilt, capping off a 17-play, 75-yard drive lasting 9:50. An illegal numbering penalty, a face mask against Jihaad Campbell and a roughing the passer penalty by Que Robinson extended a scoring drive that initially ended in a 40-yard punt. Vanderbilt leads 20-7
Alabama is trailing Vanderbilt after the first quarter. Sedrick Alexander has a rushing touchdown for the Commodores, while the defense scored off a Jalen Milroe interception. Jam Miller has Alabama’s only score.
After Alabama seemingly forced a 40-yard punt by Jesse Mirco, Vanderbilt got the ball back on the Crimson Tide 47 after an illegal numbering call. Both Zabien Brown and Ryan Williams, who wear No. 2, were on the field during the punt.
Alabama is now on the board thanks to running back Jam Miller. Miller ended a 7-play, 75-yard drive with an 8-yard touchdown run to the left side behind tackle Kadyn Proctor and Tyler Booker.
Things have gone from bad to worse for Alabama. A Jalen Milroe tipped pass was returned for a 29-yard touchdown by Randon Fountenette. The extra-point attempt was blocked. Vanderbilt leads 13-0.
8:46, Q1: Diego Pavia ran the Vanderbilt offense without a hitch to start the game against Alabama, leading a 10-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a 5-yard run by Sedrick Alexander. Vanderbilt had five first downs and had two third-down conversions.
Alabama wins the coin toss. Defers to the second half. Vanderbilt will start with the ball.
No. 2 Alabama 45, Vanderbilt 10: Instead of the “rat trap” game the Alabama coaching staff prepared its players for, Jalen Milroe, Ryan WIlliams and the rest of the Crimson Tide should pick up right where they left off in the final moments of the Georgia win.
Here’s Alabama vs. Vanderbilt betting info right before kickoff per BetMGM:
- Spread: Alabama -23.5
- O/U: 54.5 points
Alabama linebacker Justin Jefferson is in uniform and warming up before the Vanderbilt game. He is listed as a game-time decision per the SEC availability report.
Here’s what you need to know before Alabama-Vanderbilt
Here are all the NFL representatives at FirstBank Stadium for Alabama-Vanderbilt:
- Los Angeles Rams
- New Orleans Saints
- Tennessee Titans
- Washington Commanders
- Arizona Cardinals
- New York Giants
- Houston Texans
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Baltimore Ravens
No changes for Alabama football ahead of its matchup with Vanderbilt. Wide receiver Kendrick Law is out, while linebacker Justin Jefferson was listed as a game-time decision.
According to the National Weather Service, FirstBank Stadium should see sunny conditions for Alabama vs. Vanderbilt Saturday afternoon with a high near 87.
Alabama has 60 wins in 83 meetings against Vanderbilt. It’s the second-most wins Alabama has had against one SEC opponent behind Mississippi State (86).
The Commodores’ last outright win against the Crimson Tide came in 1984 in Tuscaloosa. Alabama has not lost to Vanderbilt in Nashville since 1969.
- Aug. 31: Vanderbilt 34, Virginia Tech 27 OT
- Sept. 7: Vanderbilt 55, Alcorn State 0
- Sept. 14: Georgia State 36, Vanderbilt 32
- Sept. 21: Missouri 30, Vanderbilt 27 2OT
- Oct. 5: Vanderbilt vs. Alabama; 3:15 p.m., SEC Network
- Oct. 12: Vanderbilt at Kentucky; 6:45 p.m., SEC Network
- Oct. 19: Vanderbilt vs. Ball State; 6 p.m., ESPN+
- Oct. 26: Vanderbilt vs. Texas
- Nov. 2: Vanderbilt at Auburn
- Nov. 9: Vanderbilt vs. South Carolina
- Nov. 23: Vanderbilt at LSU
- Nov. 30: Vanderbilt vs. Tennessee
- Aug. 31: Alabama 63, Western Kentucky 0
- Sept. 7: Alabama 42, South Florida 16
- Sept. 14: Alabama 42, Wisconsin 10
- Sept. 28: Alabama 41, Georgia 34
- Oct. 5: Alabama at Vanderbilt; 3:15 p.m., SEC Network
- Oct. 12: Alabama vs. South Carolina; 11 a.m., ABC
- Oct. 19: Alabama at Tennessee
- Oct. 26: Alabama vs. Missouri
- Nov. 9: Alabama at LSU
- Nov. 16: Alabama vs. Mercer; 1 p.m., SEC Network
- Nov. 23: Alabama at Oklahoma
- Nov. 30: Alabama vs. Auburn
Alabama vs Vanderbilt time today
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 5
- Time: 3:15 p.m.
- Location: FirstBank Stadium; Nashville, Tennessee
What channel is Alabama vs Vanderbilt game on today?
The Alabama vs. Vanderbilt game will be broadcast on SEC Network with streaming options on Fubo, which offers a free trial, and ESPN+.
Listen to Alabama vs Vanderbilt on the radio
Alabama vs. Vanderbilt will be broadcast live on WFFN FM (95.3) in Tuscaloosa and WBPT FM (106.9) in Birmingham.
Here are the announcers for the Alabama-Vanderbilt game:
- Chris Stewart (play-by-play)
- Tyler Watts (analysis)
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Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.