Alabama running back Brian Robinson Jr. (24) celebrates with Jedrick Wills Jr. (74) and Brandon Kennedy (56) after Robinson scored a touchdown on a 17-yard run against Vanderbilt in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. Alabama won 59-0. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)NASHVILLE - Alabama's talent-rich football program made its first appearance inside Vanderbilt Stadium since 2007 on Saturday, and it's not scheduled back until 2029.
That's very, very good news for the Commodores.
A Damien Harris 61-yard touchdown run with 3:32 remaining in the first quarter opened the floodgates for the No. 1 Crimson Tide, who embarrassed previously undefeated Vanderbilt 59-0 before a mostly crimson-clad crowd of 40,350. Alabama built a 31-0 lead by halftime and continued to pour it on, amassing 677 yards and a program-record 38 first downs.
Alabama's defense was just as impressive as the offense, limiting Vanderbilt to three first downs and only one after the midway mark of the first quarter.
"I'm proud of our players today and the way they responded," Alabama coach Nick Saban said. "I told them that for three games, I've been saying, 'We win, but ' There is a difference between winning and defeating your opponent in terms of how you dominate and what you do for 60 minutes in the game.
"Until you learn how to do that, which I think we did today, I don't think you'll ever get the respect you deserve. I think they earned a lot of respect today."
The margin of victory was the largest for Alabama (4-0) since a 59-0 defeat of Texas A&M in 2014.
Vanderbilt entered Saturday with its first 3-0 record since 2011. Derek Mason's Commodores were coming off a 14-7 upset of No. 18 Kansas State, the program's first victory over a ranked nonconference opponent since 1946, and that was followed by jubilant Vandy defensive tackle Nifae Lealoa exclaiming, "Alabama, you're next!"
The first mention of Lealoa on Saturday occurred in the second quarter, when he jumped offside to help set up Bo Scarbrough's 2-yard touchdown run that extended Alabama's lead to 28-0 with 9:09 remaining in the half.
"At Alabama, we want to be respected, and usually we are," sophomore quarterback Jalen Hurts said. "I guess we felt like we didn't have the respect we kind of wanted coming into the game, so we just came out here trying to play Alabama football. I think we did a good job."
Said Tide left guard Ross Pierschbacher: "They called us out and said this and that, so we took it as a challenge and came out and performed well."
Harris and Scarbrough had averaged a combined 100 rushing yards a game heading into Saturday's Southeastern Conference opener, but they combined for 181 in the first half alone. Harris finished with 12 carries for 151 yards (12.6 per carry) and three touchdowns, while Scarbrough added 11 carries for 79 yards (7.2) and two scores.
Alabama finished with 496 rushing yards on 66 attempts, an average of 7.5 yards per rush. No Tide team under Saban has rushed for more.
"I think you've got to start with the offensive line," Saban said. "We talked a lot about how good their defense was, and for our offensive line to control the line of scrimmage the way they did - I think our runners ran well. I think Bo and Damien did a good job, and so did Najee (Harris) and Josh Jacobs.
"I can't really say there was anything negative other than we dropped a couple of balls. Calvin (Ridley) dropped one, and that's uncharacteristic of him, and Bo dropped one."
Pierschbacher said the offensive line had its best week of practice going up against an Alabama defensive front that yielded just 2.1 yards per play to the Commodores.
The Commodores picked up a first down via a roughing-the-passer penalty on their opening possession out to their 44-yard line, but a Kyle Shurmur pass intended for tight end Jared Pinkney on the ensuing play bounced off Pinkney and was intercepted by safety Ronnie Harrison at Alabama's 32-yard line. Shurmur came in as the SEC's leader in passing efficiency, but he was just 4-of-15 for 18 yards and the interception against the menacing Tide.
Vanderbilt senior tailback Ralph Webb, the school's all-time leading rusher, didn't provide much help as well, collecting 20 yards on six carries.
"We're not going to fall into the abyss over one game," Mason said. "It's too early in the season. We played the No. 1 team in the country. There's a reason why they're No. 1."
Vanderbilt cornerback Tre Herndon, the former East Hamilton standout, sacked Hurts on Alabama's first offensive possession, but Crimson Tide punter JK Scott placed a kick at the Vandy 4-yard line. The Commodores promptly went three-and-out, and Alabama took its second possession 47 yards in five plays and grabbed a 7-0 lead on a 6-yard touchdown run by Scarbrough.
The Commodores picked up their second and final first down of the first half on their third possession before punting it away, and Harris broke free up the middle for his 61-yard score that deflated Vanderbilt fans before they could get settled in.
"All in all, this was a pretty good win for us," Saban said.
Alabama hosts Ole Miss this week, while Vanderbilt travels to Florida.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.