Alabama Beats Vanderbilt 21-6 as Commodores’ Late Drives Stall

Vanderbilt held No. 3 Alabama scoreless for most of the first half, but the Crimson Tide took a 7-3 lead just before halftime on Keelon Russell’s 9-yard touchdown pass to Marshall Pritchett. Vanderbilt had gone ahead 3-0 on a 52-yard field goal by Brock Taylor after Dontae Carter intercepted a tipped pass and returned the Commodores to the red zone. The kick made Taylor Vanderbilt’s all-time leading scorer.

Russell finished with 217 passing yards and three touchdowns. He opened the second half with a 75-yard scoring drive, capped by a 39-yard catch-and-run touchdown to Lotzeir Brooks. After Dijon Lee Jr. returned the ensuing kickoff 83 yards, Russell threw another touchdown to Brooks, extending Alabama’s lead to 21-6.

Vanderbilt managed just 235 yards of offense and was held to a season-low total. The Commodores had 14 penalties for 92 yards, while Alabama recorded five sacks and limited Vanderbilt to 92 rushing yards. Vanderbilt also forced three turnovers, including Carter’s interception and a fumble forced by Miles Capers and recovered by Talan Carter.

Taylor added a 57-yard field goal, but Vanderbilt could not close the gap. The Commodores failed to convert fourth downs on three of their last four possessions, twice inside Alabama’s 15-yard line, and Taylor missed a 50-yard attempt early in the fourth quarter.

Alabama improved to 8-2 overall and 6-2 in the SEC. It hosts Chattanooga next. Vanderbilt, now 4-6 and 1-6 in the SEC, travels to Florida and needs wins in its last two games to qualify for a bowl.