Coming into the Third Saturday in October, it was going to be imperative for Alabama to be able to generate a pass rush without blitzing against Tennessee's spread-out offense. Redshirt sophomore Yhonzae Pierre - thrust into a starting role with Qua Russaw out with an injury - took it upon himself.
Pierre sacked Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar three times himself. Alabama finished the game with four sacks - junior James Smith added the fourth - which matched the total number of sacks the Vols' offensive line had given up all season.
Alabama's pass rush had struggled in its own right, coming in ranked 112th in the country with 1.3 sacks per game.
Pierre was determined to change that, and his breakout season in Tuscaloosa is now officially underway.
The Eufala native - and cousin of former Alabama legend Courtney Upshaw - made an impact immediately on Saturday night.
Pierre produced two of his three sacks on Tennessee's second drive of the game. He got to Aguilar on the first play of the drive, and later got the Tide's defense off the field with a third-down sack on a third-and-6 when the Vols had gotten into Tide territory.
Pierre's third sack of the game was the most important. In a 7-7 game and the momentum having shifted firmly toward Tennessee, Pierre walked Tennessee's right tackle right into Aguilar's lap in the Vols' endzone. Aguilar tripped up, tried to throw the ball away, but it was ruled intentional grounding and a safety. Alabama took a 9-7 lead and then followed it up with a touchdown drive to take a 16-7 advantage. Alabama would hold a two-possession lead for the rest of the game from there on the way to a 37-20 win.
Yhonzae Pierre produced Alabama's first three-sack game in four years
Alabama hasn't had a player produce three or more sacks in a single game since Christian Harris sacked Stetson Bennett three times during the 2021 National Championship loss to Georgia, per 247's Mike Rodak.
This one was much more satisfying, coming in an Alabama victory.
Pierre only had one sack on the season coming in, but led the team in QB pressures. It was only a matter of time before those pressures produced sacks, and the avalanche came at a perfect time for the Crimson Tide against Tennessee.
Pierre is now the team leader in sacks this year with four. Alabama needed someone to step up rushing the passer, and Pierre appears to be that guy. When Russaw can get back from injury, he might find it difficult to earn his starting role back. But Kane Wommack will want to find a way to get both of them on the field as much as possible.