Ingram apologizes for late fumble

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Answering questions last week about the Heisman Trophy was a little different for Alabama tailback Mark Ingram.

Answering questions Saturday about a fumble was a lot different.

Ingram never had lost a fumble in 22 games with the Crimson Tide until coughing it up with 3:29 remaining at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama led Tennessee 12-3 at the time, but the Vols scored a touchdown, recovered an onside kick and had a game-winning field-goal attempt blocked at the final horn.

"I definitely made a mistake that could have cost us dearly, but fortunately the defense had our backs," Ingram said after the 12-10 escape. "It came out somehow, and it was unfortunate. I apologize to my teammates, my coaches and all the fans for making that a little more tougher than it was supposed to be.

"It was probably the worst feeling I've ever had ever."

The 5-foot-10, 212-pound sophomore rushed for 246 yards last week in the 20-6 win over South Carolina but was slowed significantly by comparison against the Vols, pounding out 99 yards on 17 carries. He just missed the 100-yard mark, but his total was enough to give him 1,004 yards for the season.

Ingram is only the second sophomore in Alabama's storied history to amass 1,000 rushing yards -- Kenneth Darby had 1,062 in 2004 -- but most of his thoughts were on the fumble. His only other fumble occurred last season at LSU, but the Crimson Tide recovered.

"I know there is not a greater competitor than Mark Ingram, and nobody feels worse about turning it over," Alabama coach Nick Saban said. "He does, but he's been a fantastic leader for us all year long."

Said Tide receiver Julio Jones: "I've got to talk to him about this, because he is being hard on himself."

Ingram's rare gaffe wasn't the only reason the top-ranked Tide (8-0) struggled to defeat Tennessee (3-4). Alabama's offense produced just 110 passing yards, and the Crimson Tide allowed 265 passing yards to Tennessee's Jonathan Crompton.

Tennessee outgained Alabama 169-46 in the second half and limited the Tide to five minutes and five seconds of possession time.

"They had a pretty good game plan and did some things we were not ready for," Tide tackle Mike Johnson said. "We tried some adjustments, but we need to continue some drives. We need to stay on the field.

"It was pretty close last week, but this was a whole new level of close for us."

Alabama rushed for 99 yards in the first half, and Saban said the biggest reason for a 24-yard ground total in the second half was the inability to stretch the field with the passing game. The Crimson Tide failed to score a touchdown for the first time in 26 games, which dates back to a 17-12 loss at Mississippi State in 2007.

The closest the Tide came to the end zone was late in the second quarter, when an Ingram run around left end gave them a second-and-2 at the Tennessee 4. Two pass attempts to Jones fell incomplete, and Leigh Tiffin was called on for a 22-yard field goal.

"We threw a fade to Julio and didn't come up with it," Saban said. "Whether the guy bumped him or didn't bump him, I don't know. Y'all saw that better than I did."

Saban credited Tennessee for playing a great game in what he labeled "as fine of an atmosphere in a college football game as I've ever been associated with." He did admit his team looked tired this past week in practice and added he's relieved the three-game stretch of Ole Miss, South Carolina and Tennessee is over.

After a week off, Alabama will host LSU in the biggest game yet in the SEC West.

"We're controlling the game with three minutes and 29 seconds and with the ball," Saban said. "That's how fragile a season can be."