TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — No. 16/17 Vanderbilt matched No. 10/11 Alabama through the first two quarters but fell 30-14 as the Crimson Tide pulled away in the second half to hand the Commodores their first defeat on the season.
Vanderbilt registered more than 300 yards on offense, but a pair of red zone turnovers proved costly with Alabama scoring 10 points off the miscues.
The Crimson Tide controlled the clock in the second half and finished the game with more than 37 minutes of possession.
Martel Hight shutdown Alabama’s opening drive with an interception as the Crimson Tide went for it on fourth down in Vanderbilt territory. Vandy’s defense has now forced a turnover in eight-straight games.
The Commodores’ first drive began on its own 7-yard line, but Vandy went 93 yards to put the first points on the board. The score came off a 65-yard touchdown run by Sedrick Alexander, the longest play of the season for Vandy and a career-long for Alexander.
Alabama pulled even at 7-7 with just over nine minutes to go in the second quarter.
The score remained tied until inside the two-minute warning. With 1:33 to go before halftime, Alexander found the end zone for the second time, this one coming on a shovel pass from Diego Pavia.
Alexander finished with 98 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns.
Alabama quickly responded with a game-tying score with 17 seconds left in the first half, sending the game to halftime even at 14-14.
The Crimson Tide took their first lead of the game in the third quarter on a 38-yard field goal and connected on a second field goal to take a 20-14 lead into the final quarter.
Vandy’s defense again held Alabama to a field goal as the home side took a 23-14 lead with a little over four minutes to go.
The Crimson Tide added a rushing touchdown with 17 seconds left to win 30-14.
Next up for the 5-1 Commodores is a bye week before hosting LSU on October 18 at FirstBank Stadium.
