Alabama used a 99-yard pick-six by Zabien Brown in a wild 37-20 win over rival Tennessee. Here's what Vols coach Josh Heupel had to say about Alabama.
The Alabama Crimson Tide used a game-changing 99-yard interception return for a touchdown by cornerback Zabien Brown as time expired in the first half to help take down the Tennessee Volunteers, 37-20, in a top-15 shootout at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday night.
No. 4 Alabama (6-1 overall, 4-0 SEC) rose two spots in Sunday's Week 9 US LBM Coaches Poll after their latest win over a ranked opponent. With Ty Simpson playing at an elite level, the Crimson Tide have reeled off six wins in a row. They beat a top 25 opponent for the fourth straight week.
Simpson completed 19 of 29 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Tennessee. Isaiah Horton and Rico Scott hauled in touchdowns, and Ryan Williams (five catches, 87 yards) and Germie Bernard (five catches, 60 yards) had big nights at receiver, as well.
The win was Alabama's latest in the Third Saturday in October rivalry. The Crimson Tide haven't lost to the Vols in Tuscaloosa in 22 years now, and they've won 17 of the past 19 meetings in the series overall since 2007.
For the 108th edition of Alabama-Tennessee, the Tide used a 14-point swing with the Vols driving and facing a second-and-goal at the Alabama 2-yard line with only nine seconds lefts until halftime. Joey Aguilar threw the ball to the inside of a receiver, Brown stepped in front of it, and took it 99 yards the other way.
Social media reacts to Alabama's rivalry win vs. Tennessee Vols https://t.co/5L302J2hJxpic.twitter.com/pCYfsp0TQc
— Roll Tide Wire (@RollTideWire) October 19, 2025
After another Alabama-Tennessee matchup that lived up to its billing, Volunteers coach Josh Heupel met with reporters to discuss his team's loss to the Crimson Tide. Here's what the fifth-year Vols coach said about Alabama.
Josh Heuepel reflects on Tennessee loss to Alabama football
"Disappointing result. Ultimately, offensively just self-inflicted wounds in the first half killed a bunch of our drives. The positive is the way they came out and competed early in the second half. Defense gets a stop, offense goes and scores. Turnover, (but) we don't take advantage of it. Self-inflicted wounds on that possession again. But again, you're playing a good team. Man, details are going to matter. We lost in the details tonight and ultimately, that's my responsibility, our responsibility (as) players and coaches together."
Tennessee coach Josh Heupel explains what he saw on 99-yard Zabien Brown pick-six
For the second time in six years, Alabama had a defensive touchdown that spanned the length of the field in a win over Tennessee at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
In 2019, Trevon Diggs had a 100-yard return after Vols QB Jarrett Guarantano reached for the goal line and fumbled midway through the fourth quarter with Tennessee threatening to make it a one-score game.
Heupel said of Zabien Brown's 99-yard interception return Saturday night:
"I said it was going to be a 12-round fight in this one. They're a good football team so no matter how it starts, you've got to continue to fight and our guys did that. Again, ultimately not on the right side of it in the details. End of the first half, nine seconds (left), no timeouts. You're left with a decision: you want two opportunities or one. We got a little play action and he leaves the ball inside a little bit, and it goes back for six. Big play in the football game, for sure. But again, (it's) how you come out and fight. The defense gets a stop, offense scores. After the (Simpson fumble), we've got to do something with that. We've got a chance to change that game."
Josh Heupel asked if play action on Alabama pick-six against Tennessee was 'predictable'
"I mean, they understand the situation, as well. You've got a 1-2 read and ultimately we've got to be on the right side of it. It's there or it's not. We've got to be accurate with the ball. It's (either) there or it's not. If it's not there, throw it away and you've got one more play. And that's not me putting it on Joey, either. Ultimately, it's all of us."
Watch Heupel's postgame press conference below.
Alabama football schedule 2025
All start times Central.
- Aug. 30: at Florida State (L, 31-17)
- Sept. 6: vs. UL Monroe (W, 73-0)
- Sept. 13: vs. Wisconsin (W, 38-14)
- Sept. 27: at Georgia (W, 24-21)
- Oct. 4: vs. Vanderbilt (W, 30-14)
- Oct. 11: at Missouri (W, 27-24)
- Oct. 18: vs. Tennessee (W, 37-20)
- Oct. 25: at South Carolina, 2:30 p.m., ABC
- Nov. 8: vs. LSU, prime time
- Nov. 15: vs. Oklahoma, TBA
- Nov. 22 vs. Eastern Illinois, 1 p.m., ESPN+
- Nov. 29: at Auburn, TBA
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel speaks out after loss to Alabama
Category: General Sports
