Vanderbilt's first drive of the game on Saturday resulted in Sedrick Alexander running for a 65-yard touchdown. Leading 7-0, Vandy's second drive of the game saw Diego Pavia pop a 36-yard run to set the Commodores up deep in Alabama territory, looking to take a two-possession lead in the first quarter against the Crimson Tide for the second year in a row.
Alabama fans in the stands and watching at home felt the dread. Here we go again.
But Justin Jefferson stripped Pavia, and Tim Keenan recovered the fumble to turn the 'Dores away. The defense surrendered another touchdown late in the first half, but that was mostly the result of a short field off a bad punt by Blake Doud. Vanderbilt only had to go 38 yards to get into the endzone.
The second half was a totally different story. Alabama's defense adjusted - and completely dominated Vanderbilt. The mentality changed. And Keenan, a fifth-year senior and team captain, set the tone in the locker room:
Tim Keenan III on his halftime message to the team coming out of the break against Vanderbilt. 😤https://t.co/KX9IwT90gK pic.twitter.com/OmvLV4ZpHE
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) October 5, 2025
Alabama's defense dominated Vanderbilt in the second half
As much grief as Kane Wommack has gotten from Alabama fans, you have to give him credit for the team's effort on Saturday, particularly in the second half. He made changes to personnel to get more advantageous matchups on the field to combat Vanderbilt's run-based scheme. One of the biggest changes was replacing the "Husky" position with an extra linebacker. That spot was manned by Justin Jefferson, who had a monster afternoon.
Replacing the Husky with Justin Jefferson, which provided more size by getting all three off-ball ‘backers (Lawson, Hill-Green and Jefferson) on the field at the same time, was a nice approach by Wommack coming in. Better job matching personnel this year. pic.twitter.com/Hp07PHyRVq
— Clint Lamb (@ClintRLamb) October 5, 2025
Vanderbilt's second half drive chart consisted of:
- 4 plays, 21 yards - PUNT
- 3 plays, 6 yards - PUNT
- 6 plays, 58 yards - INT
- 12 plays, 26 yards - TURNOVER ON DOWNS
- 2 plays, 15 yards - END OF GAME
Alabama held Vanderbilt to 126 yards in the second half. Consecutive quick stops out of the locker room gave the Crimson Tide's offense the opportunity to create some distance. Unfortunately, the offense bogged down in Vanderbilt territory and had to settle for back-to-back field goals. Holding only a six-point lead, Alabama's defense came up with a key redzone takeaway for the second time.
Keon Sabb stepped in front of a Pavia pass across the middle and intercepted it. Alabama went on a drive that once again stalled in Vanderbilt territory, but this time Connor Talty's field goal pushed the lead to two scores at 23-14, effectively putting the game away with just four minutes to play.
Alabama's defense is still too creasible in the run game, something that could be a major problem against Missouri's prolific run game, but they settled in after early struggles on Saturday. Vanderbilt racked up 113 yards on its first five carries of the game - with 101 of those coming on just two attempts - but allowed only 23 yards on the final 13 rushing attempts of the game.
It was an inspired second-half defensive effort for the second consecutive week. The defense is beginning to look like many thought it could look in the preseason.