Live Blog: No. 10 Alabama Football vs. No. 16 Vanderbilt

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— Alabama football (3-1, 1-0 SEC) has its first opportunity for revenge against a team that defeated the Crimson Tide in 2024 on Saturday. No. 16 Vanderbilt (5-0, 1-0 SEC) traveled to Tuscaloosa with several familiar faces in tow and sights set on a repeat of last season's upset.

Vanderbilt had not defeated Alabama in 40 years until last October's showdown in Nashville. Kalen DeBoer's squad has had to wait 364 days for the rematch on its home turf. The Commodores defeated Utah State at home 55-35 last weekend, the same day the Crimson Tide went into Athens for the first time in a decade and upset Georgia.

The Commodores last visited Bryant-Denny Stadium in September of 2022. That contest was considerably less eventful than the most recent meeting between the two schools; Alabama won handily, 55-3.

Saturday afternoon's game was met with a considerable amount of pregame talk and anticipation, more than there has previously been in this particular series. The Crimson Tide experienced a bad result one week after beating Georgia last year. The schedule is the same this season.

How to Watch:

Time: 2:30 p.m. CT
TV: ABC
Location: Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Series history: Alabama leads 60-20-4 (The Crimson Tide vacated wins over the Commodores from 2006 and 2007)
Last meeting: October 5, 2024 (Vanderbilt won 40-35)

Alabama Initial Availability Report: Wednesday, Oct. 1

Wolf LB Jah-Marien Latham: out
Wolf LB Qua Russaw: out
DT Jeremiah Beaman: out
DL James Smith: out for first half (due to targeting penalty and subsequent ejection from second half of Georgia game)

Vanderbilt Initial Availability Report: Wednesday, Oct. 1

CB Marlon Jones: out
RB Chase Gillespie: out
S Brail Lipford: out
LB Jamison Curtis: out
DL Yilanan Outtara: doubtful
CB Mark Davis: questionable

Friday's availability report did not feature any changes on either Alabama's or Vanderbilt's side from Wednesday's first official report. For Alabama, Beaman's and Latham's injuries are season-ending. Russaw suffered a broken foot in the first half of the Crimson Tide's win over Georgia and will be sidelined for an indeterminate period, though he is not expected to miss the remainder of the season.

Live Updates:

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Fourth Quarter:

END 4: Vanderbilt 14, Alabama 30

Alabama running back Jam Miller takes a fourth-and-2 carry all the way to the endzone as the Crimson Tide extends its lead. Alabama 30, Vanderbilt 14

Vanderbilt fails to convert a fourth and long. Alabama takes over deep in Commodores' territory with just 1:18 left in the game.

Pavia is sacked by Crimson Tide linebacker Justin Jefferson on the first play out of the two minute timeout. Commodores at their own 28 yard line with 1:30 left to play.

Vanderbilt is penalized for a personal foul on the kickoff following Talty's field goal. Commodores take over at their own 13-yard line with 3:57 to play.

Ty Simpson targets wideout Ryan Williams on an Alabama third-and-4 who drops a slightly underthrown pass. On the ensuing 4th down, Talty makes his third field goal of the day. Alabama 23, Vanderbilt 14,

On an Alabama fourth-and-2, Ty Simpson hands off to left tackle Kadyn Proctor, who secures the first down for the Crimson Tide. 4:25 left to play.

On an Alabama third-and-5, Ty Simpson rolled out right to once again find Issiah Horton, who used his spatial awareness to work his way upfield into an open pocket for Simpson.

Diego Pavia was intercepted in the red zone by Keon Sabb, his fourth of the season, coming at a critical moment for Vanderbilt.

On third-and-1 at midfield, Diego Pavia found an open Cole Spence for a 33-yard gain, putting Vanderbilt in the red zone.

Third Quarter:

END 3: Vanderbilt 14, Alabama 20

Connor Tatly converted a 30-yard field goal with 1:17 remaining in the quarter. Alabama has dominated the quarter, but is reflected in just a one-possession lead. Alabama leads 20-14.

On third-and-6 from the Vanderbilt 24, Ty Simpson scrambled to the Commodores’ 11-yard line, igniting the crowd with an emphatic celebration. Bryant-Denny Stadium has juice again.

Ty Simpson was sacked and lost the ball, which Vanderbilt scooped up and returned for a touchdown. After review, however, officials confirmed that Simpson was down before the fumble.

Alabama’s defense came up big once again — this time with Domani Jackson and Yhonzae Pierre combining for a third-down tackle that stopped Diego Pavia short of the sticks, forcing a second straight Vanderbilt punt.

James Smith is back in after serving a first-half suspension from my penalty last week against Georgia, and just made his first tackle.

On third down, Ryan Grubb dialed up some trickery with a direct snap to Germie Bernard, but the play was stuffed. at 9:15 remaining, Alabama settled for a 38-yard field goal, taking its first lead of the night (17-14) and capping a six-play, 68-yard drive that lasted 3:34.

Josh Cuevas with a hurdle!

Alabama opens up the second half with a huge stop, tackling Degio Pavia short of the sticks and forcing VU to punt.

Second Quarter:

END 2: Vanderbilt 14, Alabama 14

With 17 seconds remaining in the first half, Alabama scored a crucial touchdown on a 27-yard pass from Ty Simpson to Germie Bernard. The Crimson Tide moved the ball efficiently on the six-play, 78-yard drive, which included receptions of 13, 13 and 17 yards. The score tied the game back up ahead of halftime.

With 1:33 remaining in the half, Vanderbilt capped a 10-play, 38-yard drive lasting 4:23 with a Sedrick Alexander touchdown to retake a 14-7 lead. The Commodores converted three third downs on the drive and methodically moved down the field, mixing in several shovel passes to keep Alabama’s defense off balance.

Great call by Vanderbilt on third-and-10 in Alabama's territory. Pavia had the chance to break to the outside, but chose to shovel it to his running back, Sedrick Alexander, instead, who picked up the first by a yard.

Vanderbilt forced a quick Alabama three-and-out largely because of a first-down Vanderbilt sack, knocking Alabama back 10 yards.

Will Sanders is in at left guard.

Alabama’s crowd is coming alive. Following the Crimson Tide’s touchdown drive, the defense forced a quick three-and-out. On third down, Diego Pavia felt pressure from both edges and was forced to throw the ball away before Vanderbilt punted.

With 9:28 remaining, on a play that looked eerily similar to his touchdown pass to Issiah Horton last week, Ty Simpson connected with Ryan Williams for a 14-yard score. Simpson evaded a defender while scrambling and found “Hollywood,” who cut back toward his quarterback mid-route. 9:22 minutes, 12 plays and 92 yards. Tie ballgame.

After a lengthy timeout, Alabama went for it on fourth-and-7 from the Vanderbilt 35-yard line. Ty Simpson connected with tight end Josh Cuevas for an 18-yard gain to extend the drive.

First Quarter:

END 1: Vanderbilt 7, Alabama 7

Michael Carroll is in at right tackle, and Wilkin Formby is at right guard.

With 1:46 remaining and Vanderbilt driving in Alabama’s red zone, Diego Pavia scrambled up the middle and gained a few yards before Justin Jefferson ripped the ball loose as Pavia was going down. Alabama recovered the fumble, a much-needed turnover and potentially a momentum-shifting play.

Vanderbilt continues to punish Alabama on the ground. Diego Pavia broke loose for a 36-yard run before being forced out of bounds at the Alabama 40.

With 3:45 remaining, Vanderbilt held a driving Alabama to fourth-and-9. Connor Talty attempted and missed wide on a 47-yard field goal attempt.

Alabama needed a few momentum-shifting plays after a holding penalty pushed the offense back to second-and-20 — and it got them. On that second down play, Ty Simpson connected with Isaiah Horton for a 35-yard gain down the left hash. Horton is emerging as a reliable target on outside-the-numbers throws. On the next play, Jam Miller broke free for a 22-yard run, making multiple defenders miss in the process.

Ty Simpson had an open, streaking Josh Cuevas on Alabama's second offensive drive and flat-out missed him.

With 6:34 remaining, Vanderbilt running back Sedrick Alexander broke through the line for a 65-yard touchdown run, ending in front of the Commodores’ fan section. The score capped a six-play, 93-yard drive to open the scoring in the game, giving Vanderbilt a 7-0 lead.

Diego Pavia was rocked by Edric Hill on a 3-yard rush on second-and-1, drawing an audible gasp from the Bryant-Denny Stadium crowd.

With 9:47 remaining, after Ryan Williams was tackled short of the sticks on third-and-4, Alabama went for it on fourth-and-1. The Crimson Tide ran a switch combo, and Ty Simpson’s pass toward the 10-yard line was intercepted by Martel Hight, who was downed at the Vanderbilt 7-yard line. This marks Ty Simpson's first interception thrown of the year.

Vanderbilt cornerback CJ Heard made a nice pass breakup, but a hands-to-the-face penalty extends Alabama's drive with an automatic first-down.

Freshman wide receiver Lotzier Brooks returns the kickoff out of the end zone and is stopped at the 25-yard line, where Alabama would have started with a touchback.

Vanderbilt won the coin toss and elected to defer. It will be Ty Simpson and Alabama’s offense on first.

Pregame:

Alabama’s Wolf linebackers in warmups are Yhonzae Pierre, Justin Hill, Noah Carter and walk-on Lane Whisenhunt. Wolf's Jah-Marien Latham and Qua Russaw are out.

Alabama’s starting offensive line: left tackle Kadyn Proctor (74), left guard Kam Dewberry (71), center Parker Brailsford (72), right guard Geno VanDeMark (56) and right tackle Wilkin Formby (75)

Yhonzae Pierre and Justin Hill are the only Wolf linebackers listed on the pregame depth chart in the press box. Both young players are expected to shoulder a heavier workload with injuries to Jah-Marien Latham and Qua Russaw.