The Tennessee Volunteers found a way to get it done on Saturday evening against the Alabama Crimson Tide, rallying in the second half for a 24-17 win. After coming from behind three different times, the Vols managed to fight back time and again to secure a second straight win at Neyland Stadium against their chief rival. 

There are plenty of heroes on the evening.  Starting RB Dylan Sampson had another monster game, totaling 139 yards on 26 carries with two scores.  Transfer WR Chris Brazzell II had a diving touchdown catch for the go-ahead points. Even QB Nico Iamaleava, who struggled badly in the first half, came through in the second half with some clutch plays. 

But on the other side of the ball, it was an unheralded player who delivered two huge plays that helped the Vols come away victorious: walk on DB Will Brooks. 

Brooks was able to salt the game away with an interception of Jalen Milroe with 1:30 left, which was obviously one of the biggest plays of the game.  He broke on the ball, which was poorly thrown and behind the receiver, and snared it just off the ground. 

sealed the deal. pic.twitter.com/FKlTzLxz3K

— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) October 20, 2024

"We were in just like a form of quarters, and I saw the quarterback kind of double pump for a second, and just gave me the time to be able to go and make the play."

However, there was a play from early in the game that seemed perhaps innocuous at the time, but proved to be massive when it was all said and done.  With Alabama facing a 3rd and 1 at their own 27 just four minutes into the game, they lined up for what appeared to be a sneak. Milroe took off and broke through the line, with nothing but green grass in front of him.  However, Brooks laid out and made a diving swipe and managed to trip up Milroe, almost assuredly saving a touchdown.  Alabama would later go on to punt. 

"I just kind of saw him run through the gap and I knew we were in our sneak checks, so there's nobody behind me. So, I just went all out, dove and just tried to swipe his leg and get him down." 

Brooks is from Birmingham, which is just 60 miles from Alabama's campus.  After receiving no offer from the Crimson Tide, he came to Knoxville as a walk on in 2020, where he's gradually earned more and more playing time on defense.  That trust and chance that the coaching staff has given him is not lost on Brooks. 

"Just my coaches and teammates, my family, who's always supported me, just everyone who's always supported me.  Thankful for the coaches believing in me, giving me the opportunity, and my teammates playing with me and causing pressures allowed that to happen." 

Brooks' hustle, hard work, and productivity haven't been lost on his teammates either.  Vols LB Arion Carter after the game had some strong words about his teammate. 

"Let me just say this. This guy is one of the most unselfish people you'll ever meet. Like, for the team, does his job at an extremely high level, and holds everybody accountable.  And just having him beside me because we work with each other a lot on the field, I wouldn't want it any other way. I love my brother here."

Life has a funny way of working out sometimes.  And, on Saturday, a one-time afterthought from Alabama just sent the state's flagship program back home to Tuscaloosa with its second loss of the season. 

Tennessee Vols player confirms how Neyland Stadium crowd helped at a crucial point in win over Alabama

The Vols toppled the Crimson Tide for the second straight time in Knoxville