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

TUSCALOOSA, Ala..- One of the biggest games nobody thought would be a big game has arrived.

After a 5-0 start to the season, No. 16 Vanderbilt marches into Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium with a rematch against No. 10 Alabama. The Commodores have asserted their will against its five opponents this season, winning every game by at least 20 points.

Today presents the biggest challenge Vanderbilt has faced yet. Alabama comes in with a high-flying offense that contains plenty of talent all-around. Today will be a benchmark test for Vanderbilt’s defense. The defensive front for the Commodores has been taking the fight to the opponent and has produced multiple second half shutouts.

Today, Vanderbilt faces an Alabama team that is looking for revenge. Nearly a year ago to the day, the Commodores upset No. 1 Alabama 40-35 in Nashville as fans tore down the goal posts of FirstBank Stadium and carried them across the city.

But this season’s matchup is different. Both teams come in with impressive wins on their resumes and a win for either team today would only strengthen a resume. For Vanderbilt, it is looking to earn more respect from college football fans, and a win today would almost certainly do that. Ultimately, Vanderbilt believes in itself and its coaching staff and has backed up all the talk

Follow the live blog here for live updates from tonight’s Vanderbilt-Alabama game.

Live Blog

Be sure to refresh your browser for live updates from Vanderbilt vs. Alabama. The most recent updates will appear at the top.

4th Quarter

FINAL: Vanderbilt suffers its first loss of the season at the hands of Alabama 30-14.

Vanderbilt holds Alabama to a field goal, but this time the kick makes it a two score game with 4:08 left in the game. 23-14 Alabama.

Alabama has just marched the ball down the field and chewed up clock on this possession. 3rd and 4 at the 4:16 mark. Crimson Tide on the 12.

Kolbey Taylor went down, but walked off under his own power. Status is unknown as Alabama has its 2nd and 5 from its own 34.

Pavia throws an interception in the red zone right to the Alabama defense. A crucial mistake. Alabama takes over on its own 19.

3rd Quarter

Pavia completes a pass to Richie Hoskins for a first down to end the quarter. Vanderbilt's got a first down on its own 41.

A Miles Capers sack holds Alabama to a field goal attempt. What a defensive stand for Vanderbilt there and a heck of a play by Capers. 20-14 Alabama.

The Alabama defense read Pavia like a book on that read option. Vanderbilt goes three and out. Alabama gets the ball on its own 21.

Alabama's playcalling in Vanderbilt territory today has been questionable. I do not understand the calls on 2nd and 3rd down, but oh well. Vanderbilt takes advantage, too and holds the Crimson Tide to a field goal. Alabama leads 17-14. The first time Alabama leads Vanderbilt in a game since 2022. That was a big defensive stand for Vanderbilt in the red zone.

Vanderbilt gets a first down but can't do anything more after that. Alabama gets the ball at its own 11 after a punt.

2nd Quarter

HALFTIME: Pavia takes a knee and we are all tied up at 14 at the break. A very entertaining and tight game in the first half. This could easily go down to the wire, but Vanderbilt gets the ball out of the locker room.

Boy that is a crucial score right there for both sides as Alabama scores a touchdown and makes it 14-14 with 17 seconds to go before halftime.

Ryan Williams catches it at the Vanderbilt 40 and Martel Hight is called for targeting. After review, the call on the field, but it is overturned. A huge sigh of relief for Vanderbilt fans. What a call.

The Commodores retake the lead off a forward pitch from Pavia to Sedrick Alexander. It's 14-7 Vanderbilt with 1:33 left before half.

We are at the 2-minute timeout and Vanderbilt is threatening to take the lead. A huge third down conversion gets it into the red zone as Vanderbilt has it 2nd and 6 on the Alabama 11.

Alabama goes three and out thanks to a sack from Joshua Singh. Commodores have great field position at the 38-yard line of Alabama. Huge opportunity for Vanderbilt here.

Vanderbilt gets a first down but goes three and out right after. Alabama gets ball on its own 17.

After a 4th down conversion, Ty Simpson evades in the pocket and finds a wide open Ryan Williams in the back of the end zone for a touchdown. 7-7.

Vanderbilt's defense has been really good once Alabama crosses the 50. 4th and 7 on the 35. Third trip into Vanderbilt territory with no points to show for it. Seems like Alabama will go for it on 4th down here.

1st Quarter

Pavia runs up the middle toward the end zone, but fumbles it and it is recovered by Alabama on the 7-yard line. A huge swing right there, losing out on the chance to go up two scores early.

Vanderbilt holds Alabama to a field and it is missed. The Commodores hold onto its lead at 7-0. This is a dream start if you are Vanderbilt.

Back-to-back big plays for Alabama put it in Vanderbilt territory, but the Crimson Tide get yet another holding penalty to push it back to the Vanderbilt 39.

The amazing start continues: Sedrick Alexander pops open a 65-yard run to the end zone for the touchdown. It is 7-0 Vanderbilt.

Stowers catches a pass right at the sticks. It was called incomplete at first, but was overturned to make it first down on its own 17-yard line.

There it is: the first Alabama turnover of the season. Martel Hight picks off Ty Simpson on 4th and short. And all of the sudden the Vanderbilt faithful is making noise. What a start on the road for the defense.

Alabama offense going down the field early. A Vanderbilt hands to the face penalty helps the Crimson Tide get to midfield.

Pregame

Vanderbilt wins the toss and defers. Commodore defense on the field first.

Vanderbilt takes the field.

Under 10 minutes until kickoff. You can feel the energy in this stadium. What a day for football we have.

The Commodore faithful has also shown up and shown out today. There is a noticeable Vanderbilt presence in the lower bowl.

As we hit under a hour before kickoff, the stadium is starting to fill up, especially the student section in both the top and bottom bowls.

Both teams are on the field warming up and getting ready for today's game. Vanderbilt is wearing its black helmets with white jerseys and white pants while Alabama is wearing its Crimson helmets with Crimson jerseys and white pants.

Weather Report

It is a beautiful, but busy day here in Tuscaloosa with family weekend and “College Gameday” both being in town this weekend. It is 81 degrees as we hit the 60-minute mark before kickoff. Temperatures are forecasted to stay relatively the same, dipping into the upper 70s by the end of the game. There is no rain in the forecast with not much cloud cover.