Alabama Football Overwhelms Vanderbilt, 55-3

The Commodores were limited to just 129 total offensive yards on the night while the Crimson Tide amassed 628.

Author:
Joey Blackwell
Updated:
Sep 24, 2022 11:41 PM EDT
Original:
Sep 24, 2022

In this story:

Alabama Crimson Tide

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama football didn't mess around in its first SEC game of the season, overwhelming the Vanderbilt Commodores by a final score of 55-3.

Offense was the story of the game for Alabama, with the Crimson Tide recording 628 total offensive yards. Quarterback Bryce Young accounted for 385 of Alabama's 400 passing yards and also recorded four touchdowns.

Running back Jase McClellan led the Crimson Tide with 11 carries for 78 yards and a touchdown. However, Jamarion Miller registered 63 yards and two touchdowns on his nine carries late in the game.

In the receiving game, Ja'Corey Brooks led all Alabama receivers with six receptions, 117 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Jermaine Burton finished with four receptions for 94 yards, while Traeshon Holden and Jahmyr Gibbs accounted for the other two receiving touchdowns of the night.

On defense, the Crimson Tide didn't allow a single touchdown, maintaining opponents to just two offensive touchdowns so far this season. In total, the Commodores recorded just 129 total offensive yards, with 115 coming through the air and just 14 on the ground.

Outside linebacker Will Anderson Jr. finished the game with five total tackles, with three for loss and 2.5 sacks. Linebackers Henry To'oTo'o and Deontae Lawson tied for the team lead in total tackles with six apiece.

With the win, Alabama moves to 4-0 and is 1-0 in SEC play. Vanderbilt falls to 3-2 and is also 0-1 in the conference. Up next, the Crimson Tide will travel to play a road game at Arkansas next Saturday (2:30 p.m. CT, CBS).

How it Happened:

(Updates in ascending order)

Fourth Quarter

Final: Alabama 55, Vanderbilt 3

Alabama drive summary: 5 plays, 53 yards, 0:32 T.O.P.

TOUCHDOWN Alabama: Miller rushes 40 yards for the score. The extra point by Reichard is good. Alabama 55, Vanderbilt 3.

After a final punt by Vanderbilt, Alabama will take over at its own 47-yard line.

Alabama drive summary: 15 plays, 87 yards, 7:25 T.O.P.

TOUCHDOWN Alabama: Miller makes the 1-yard touchdown rush. The extra point by Reichard is good. Alabama 48, Vanderbilt 3 with 5:11 left to play in the game.

A holding call on Alabama moves the football back. 2nd and 19 at the Vanderbilt 29.

Jamarion Miller gets his first carry of the game and gains six yards.

Milroe finds Sanders for a 3-yard reception. 1st and 10 at the UA 42.

Trey Sanders gets his second carry of the game, rushing around the end for no gain. 3rd and 2.

Jalen Milroe continues to be under center this drive. A pass interference penalty on Vanderbilt moves the ball to the UA 31. 1st and 10.

The Vanderbilt punt is downed at the UA 13-yard line. 1st and 10 Crimson Tide.

A false start on 4th and 2 will move the ball backwards five yards for Vanderbilt.

And now Jordan Battle is hobbling to the medical tent. He walked off the field under his own power, but seemed to be having an issue in his right hamstring.

Third Quarter

End of the third quarter: Alabama 41, Vanderbilt 3

James Burnip punts the football all the way down the the Vanderbilt 24. 1st and 10 Commodores.

Alabama takes over at its own 45-yard line. Bryce Young's day is done at quarterback.

Young has been moved from the medical tent and is on the back of a golf cart, headed to the locker room.

Anderson picks up a half-sack, split with Chris Braswell. 4th and 17 for Vanderbilt at its own 18.

Touchback. 1st and 10 Vanderbilt at its own 25.

Alabama drive summary: 6 plays, 55 yards, 2:14 T.O.P.

TOUCHDOWN Alabama: McClellan rushes for a 12-yard touchdown. The extra point by Reichard is good. Alabama 41, Vanderbilt 3 with 2:56 remaining in the third quarter.

Gibbs rushes over, around and through defenders for a 17-yard gain. 1st and 10 at the Vanderbilt 23.

Vanderbilt punts the football, but the low punt lands out of bounds at the UA 45-yard line. 1st and 10 Crimson Tide.

Byron Young needs help getting off the field and is headed to the medical tent.

On 2nd and 10, Eli Ricks is called for pass interference. That'll make it 1st and 10 at the Vanderbilt 16.

Jayden McGowan was back to fair catch the kickoff for Vanderbilt, but muffed the catch at the 1-yard line. By rule, the ball will be placed where the ball was recovered by the receiving team. 1st and 10 Vanderbilt at its own 1-yard line.

Alabama drive summary: 12 plays, 84 yards, 5:18 T.O.P.

FIELD GOAL Alabama: Reichard hits a 21-yard field goal after Alabama is stopped inside the Vanderbilt 5-yard line. Alabama 34, Vanderbilt 3.

Illegal snap by Alabama. The ball will move back five yards.

Prentice makes his second reception of the drive, this time for 19 yards. 1st and 10 at the Vanderbilt 22.

On 3rd and 7, Young finds Kobe Prentice for a 15-yard gain. 1st and 10.

After back-to-back first downs, Vanderbilt fails to convert on 3rd and 9. The Commodores punt from its own 40, where the ball is downed at the UA 12. 1st and 10 Crimson Tide.

Reichard sails the football through the end zone for a touchback. 1st and 10 Commodores at their own 25.

Vanderbilt will receive the kickoff to start the second half.

Halftime Notes

Bryce Young halftime stats: 20-for-29 with 316 passing yards, four touchdowns, no interceptions and a QBR of 206. He has completed passes to eight different receivers.

Jase McClellan leads the Alabama running backs with seven carries for 54 rushing yards.

Brooks leads receivers with six receptions for 117 yards and two touchdowns. Burton has four receptions for 94 yards, while Jahmyr Gibbs has three receptions for 43 yards and a touchdown. Traeshon Holden also has two receptions for 32 yards and a touchdown.

On defense, Will Anderson Jr. leads all defenders with four total tackles, including 2.5 for loss. Two of those tackles for loss were sacks, bringing his season total to four.

Second Quarter

Halftime: Alabama 31, Vanderbilt 3

Alabama drive summary: 4 plays, 58 yards, 0:33 T.O.P.

FIELD GOAL Alabama: Reichard nails a 40-yard field goal for three points as the clock expires. Alabama 31, Vanderbilt 3.

Young finds Burton for a 48-yard gain. 1st and 10 Crimson Tide at the Vanderbilt 22-yard line. 0:10 seconds remain on the game clock.

Brian Branch muffs the punt, but Malachi Moore recovers. 1st and 10 Alabama at its own 20-yard line. There is 0:33 seconds left to play in the first half.

On 3rd and 16, Davis is only able to pick up one yard. Vanderbilt will have to punt once again with 0:42 seconds left to play in the first half.

FUMBLE Alabama: On the punt, McKinstry was able to get out of trouble and scramble, but fumbled the football after a huge gain. Vanderbilt recovered the fumble at its own 29. The Commodores have the football and it will be 1st and 10 at their own 29.

Swann scrambles on 3rd and 12, but is sacked by Anderson.

Vanderbilt will start its drive at its own 25 following a touchback.

Alabama drive summary: 9 plays, 77 yards, 3:41 T.O.P.

TOUCHDOWN Alabama: Young finds Gibbs, who spins away from a defender and across the goal line for a 7-yard touchdown. The extra point by Reichard is good. Alabama 28, Vanderbilt 3 with 4:43 remaining in the first half.

Gibbs makes his first reception of the game, and makes some players miss for a 26-yard gain. 1st and Goal Alabama at the Vanderbilt 7.

Alabama converts on 4th and 1 with a 2-yard rush by McClellan.

Jase McClellan rushes to the right for a 26-yard gain. 1st and 10 at the Vanderbilt 42.

Latu is now on the field for the first snap of Alabama's drive.

Latu has run out of the tent and is back in the offensive huddle on the side of the field during the commercial break.

Latu is still in the medical tent.

On 3rd and 6, Anderson sacks Swann for a loss of nine. The Commodores will have to punt. McKinstry calls for the fair catch at the UA 23-yard line. 1st and 10 Alabama.

Latu was hurt on the play, and medical staff are currently attending to him. He appeared to come down funny on his right leg. He is helped off the field and escorted to the medical tent.

On 4th and 12, Young overthrows Latu right at the goal line. Turnover on downs.

Alabama will attempt a fourth-down conversion.

A second injury for Vanderbilt, this time it's defensive lineman Bradley Mann who needs help off the field.

Young scrambles outside the pocket, then throws a dart to Holden for a 24-yard play. 1st and 10 at the Vanderbilt 36.

Tyler Booker replaced Javion Cohen on the offensive line for Alabama.

Vanderbilt fails to convert, and punts the ball to McKinstry. McKinstry bobbles to catch, but picks it up off the ground and bursts for a 15-yard return. 1st and 10 Crimson Tide at its own 42.

Timeout Vanderbilt. It has two timeouts remaining. When play resumes, it'll be 3rd and 5 on the Commodores 30-yard line.

Touchback. 1st and 10 Vanderbilt on its own 25.

Alabama drive summary: 1 play, 34 yards, 0:07 T.O.P.

TOUCHDOWN Alabama: On the first play of the drive, Young finds Brooks once again, this time for a 34-yard strike. The kick by Reichard is good. Alabama 21, Vanderbilt 3.

On 4th and 1, Vanderbilt is stopped short. Davis is tackled by Will Anderson Jr. for no gain. Alabama takes over at the Commodores 34.

On 3rd and 2 at their own 33, Commodores running back Ray Davis is stopped after a 1-yard gain.

First Quarter

End of the First Quarter: Alabama 14, Vanderbilt 3.

Another touchback will place Vanderbilt at its own 25-yard line to start its drive.

Alabama drive summary: 10 plays, 75 yards, 3:14 T.O.P.

TOUCHDOWN Alabama: Young finds Traeshon Holden in the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown connection. The extra point by Reichard is good. Alabama 14, Vanderbilt 3.

Brooks already has five receptions for 83 yards and touchdown.

On 3rd and 10, Young finds Brooks 15-yard pass play.

Young finds Burton again for a 13-yard gain. 1st and 10 at the Vanderbilt 39.

Commodores linebacker De'Rickey Wright was injured on the play and is helped off the field.

On 2nd and 11 at the 24, Young connects with Burton for a 24-yard gain. 1st and 10.

A second holding call of the night for Alabama moves the ball back 10 yards. It'll be 1st and 17 at the 18-yard line.

A touchback puts Alabama at its own 25 to start the drive.

Vanderbilt drive summary: 11 plays, 52 yards, 5:00 T.O.P.

FIELD GOAL Vanderbilt: Bulovas nails a 40-yard field goal. Alabama 7, Vanderbilt 3 with 3:49 left to play in the first quarter.

On 3rd and 6 at the Alabama 23, the pass from AJ Swann is broken up by Kool-Aid McKinstry. The Commodores will have to try for a field goal.

And just like that, it's 3rd and 2 at the UA 31. However, the Commodores convert on a 4-yard rush by Ray Davis.

So far, Vanderbilt has marched down the field with relative ease. It is now 1st and 10 for the Commodores at the Crimson Tide 39-yard line.

A touchback will place the Commodores at their own 25-yard line to start the drive.

Alabama drive summary: 4 plays, 68 yards, 1:16 T.O.P.

TOUCHDOWN Alabama: Bryce Young finds Brooks for their fourth-consecutive connection, this time for a 21-yard score. The kick by Reichard is good. 7-0 Alabama.

Make that three receptions in a row by Brooks, all on the right side of the field.

Back-to-back receptions by Ja'Corey Brooks has Alabama down to the Vanderbilt 27. 1st and 10.

On 3rd and 2, To'oTo'o gets into the backfield and tackles Commodores running back Ray Davis for a loss. Alabama takes over at its own 32 yard line after the punt.

Jaheim Otis starts on Alabama's defensive line for the second week in a row, alongside Byron Young and Tim Smith.

On 3rd and 8, Young passes the ball to Latu for six yards. Alabama is forced to punt, and Vanderbilt takes over at its own 18-yard line.

After picking up a first down, a holding call moves Alabama back into a 1st and 20 situation.

It's a touchback, and Alabama will start its drive at the 25-yard line.

Former Alabama/current Vanderbilt kicker Joseph Bulovas will kick off to the Crimson Tide.

Pregame

Vanderbilt has won the coin toss and will defer to the second half. Alabama will receiver, and will be playing from south to north. Kickoff is slated for 6:39 p.m. CT.

A lot of Alabama coaches here today with recruits. Sitting right in front of the press box is men's basketball coach Nate Oats, women's basketball coach Kristy Curry, softball coach Patrick Murphy and swimming & diving coach Margo Geer are all in attendance with recruits and assistant coaches.

The Crimson Tide has once again headed back into the locker room. The Million Dollar Band will emerge shortly. Currently, the stadium is roughly about 60-percent full.

JoJo Earle is in fill pads and warming up with the rest of the wide receivers. Aaron Anderson and Tyler Harrell are also dressed out and running routes.

The full roster of Crimson Tide players have just run onto the field for warmups. Today's captains: LB Henry To'oTo'o, OLB Will Anderson Jr. and QB Bryce Young.

All Alabama players have now cleared the field as we are approx. 55 minutes until kickoff.

A selection of Alabama offensive and defensive linemen along with wide receivers have stepped out on the field sporting jerseys and shorts to start stretches and warmups.

Vanderbilt's entire team has come out onto the field wearing black shorts and workout shirts to being stretches and warmups.

Today's officials:

Referee: Hedrick,Lee
Umpire: Ellison,Brandon
Linesman: Hagan,Ryan
Line Judge: Snuggs,Chris
Back Judge: Toney,Brett
Field Judge: Melancon,Scotty
Side Judge: Williams,Michael
Center Judge: Block,Mike

Weather conditions: Clear skies and sunny, with temperatures in the high-80s Fahrenheit. Winds 2 m.p.h. north-northwest.

Game Preview

The Alabama Crimson Tide, fresh off a resounding 63-7 victory over Louisiana Monroe, will prepare to endure the conference gauntlet that is the SEC, and the first opponent will be the Vanderbilt Commodores.

The last time the two teams faced off on the gridiron in 2017, the Crimson Tide shutout Vanderbilt 59-0 on the strength of 496 rushing yards. Four players ran for at least 50 yards, with Damien Harris leading the way with 151 yards and three touchdowns on only 12 carries.

Overall, Alabama has 62 wins, 18 losses and 4 ties in the series. The last time the Crimson Tide lost against the Commodores was in September 1984, when Vanderbilt won 30-21.

In the Saban era, Alabama is 3-0 against Vanderbilt, holding the Commodores to 10 points over three games. The last time the two teams faced off in Tuscaloosa, the Crimson Tide won 34-0 in the 2011 matchup. AJ McCarron, who was a sophomore at the time, threw for 237 yards and four touchdowns while Trent Richardson ran for 107 yards and one touchdown.

On the Vanderbilt side, the Commodores have a 3-1 record, their only loss coming against no. 21 Wake Forest. The other three games? The offense averaged almost 48 points per game, albeit against Hawaii, Elon and Northern Illinois. This begins Vanderbilt's three weeks of ranked opponents, as their schedule comprises Alabama, Ole Miss then Georgia.

How to Watch: No. 2 Alabama vs Vanderbilt

Who: Alabama vs. Vanderbilt

When: 6:30 p.m. CT, Saturday

Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium

TV: SEC Network

Live Stream: fuboTV (Start your free trial)

Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network. Play-By-Play Chris Stewart, Analyst John Parker Wilson, Sideline Roger Hoover, Host Cory Reamer. Sirius/XM: 81 (Alabama)/199 (Texas)