Tennessee's pass rush disappears when needed the most in Vols' 34-20 loss to Alabama
The numbers lined up beautifully for Tennessee entering their annual clash with Alabama. The Crimson Tide were one of the worst teams in sacks allowed in the country. Fifth most allowed, to be exact. Meanwhile the Vols' pass rush has been one of the best in the SEC, with James Pearce, Jr. becoming an elite […]
The numbers lined up beautifully for Tennessee entering their annual clash with Alabama. The Crimson Tide were one of the worst teams in sacks allowed in the country. Fifth most allowed, to be exact. Meanwhile the Vols' pass rush has been one of the best in the SEC, with James Pearce, Jr. becoming an elite edge rusher.
For the first half of Saturday's game, it was going according to script. The Vols managed to generally control the line of scrimmage, holding the run in relative check and bothering Alabama QB Jalen Milroe. The Vols' offense responded in kind, putting up 20 first-half points as the Vols took a 20-7 lead into the locker room.
The pass rush never came back out.
Milroe was lights out in the second half, and that was largely because he had time to scan through his progressions without even having to shift in the pocket to evade pressure at times. As such, he was able to tear apart Tennessee's defense as the Tide pulled away for a 34-20 win.
There were certainly times where the Vols felt like they were on the short end of the officiating stick. Alabama's offensive line holding Tennessee's pass rushers was part of that beef as well. The Crimson Tide were flagged for one penalty for the game for five yards – an illegal snap penalty. Not this:
However, that's still just a few plays of many. For the rest of the second half, Tennessee couldn't do anything to get to Milroe. To defensive coordinator Tim Banks' credit, he did attempt to blitz some in the second half, but to Alabama's credit, they picked it up well. Milroe finished the game 14/21 for 220 yards with 2 touchdowns and an interception.
The Vols have a good pass rush. One half of one game doesn't take that away. However, with a commanding lead against perhaps the most beatable Alabama offensive line the Vols have seen – and might not see again for some time – the Vols couldn't capitalize and help close out what would have been the Vols' first road win in Tuscaloosa in 20 years.
That's a true shame.
