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Heupel’s Vols have ‘a lot of fun for three quarters’ in loss to Tide

AP photo by Vasha Hunt / Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel argues with officials after a touchdown by Alabama quarterback Bryce Young during the second half of Saturday night's SEC matchup in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
AP photo by Vasha Hunt / Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel argues with officials after a touchdown by Alabama quarterback Bryce Young during the second half of Saturday night's SEC matchup in Tuscaloosa, Ala. AP photo by Vasha Hunt / Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel argues with officials after a touchdown by Alabama quarterback Bryce Young during the second half of Saturday night's SEC matchup in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

By David Paschall 4 min read

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Tennessee Volunteers were up for an early Halloween scare Saturday night in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Alabama has never been one to frighten easily under Nick Saban.

Given little chance against the No. 4 Crimson Tide as 25-point underdogs, the Vols led by a touchdown entering the second quarter and trailed by a touchdown early in the fourth before Alabama broke free for a 52-24 win before a sold-out crowd of 100,077. The triumph was Alabama’s 15th straight over Tennessee, with all 15 coming under Saban’s guidance.

“I don’t question the way our guys show up to compete every Saturday,” Tennessee first-year coach Josh Heupel said after his inaugural game in the longstanding rivalry. “I love going to compete with them, and tonight was a lot of fun for three quarters. We’ve just got to grow up and be smarter.

“Our margins are smaller than we want. They know that, and we know that.”