Tennessee dominates Alabama with strong rushing performance

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, October 18, 2026

Tennessee defeated Alabama 26-10 in Knoxville, driven by DeSean Bishop’s 159 rushing yards and a defense that limited the Crimson Tide to just 201 total yards. The win improved Tennessee’s SEC record to 3-1 while handing Alabama back-to-back regular-season losses for the first time since 2007.

Tennessee secured a 26-10 victory over Alabama on Saturday in Knoxville, propelled by a dominant rushing display and solid defensive efforts. The No. 14 Volunteers improved to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in Southeastern Conference play, while No. 6 Alabama fell to 5-2 and 3-2 in the SEC.

DeSean Bishop led Tennessee’s ground attack, rushing for 159 yards and scoring two touchdowns. Quarterback George MacIntyre contributed 197 passing yards, helping the Volunteers maintain control throughout the game. Tennessee’s defense limited Alabama to just 201 yards of total offense, including a mere 54 yards on the ground.

Alabama struggled to generate momentum, committing four turnovers—two fumbles and two interceptions—during the contest. Quarterback Keelon Russell passed for 147 yards and was responsible for Alabama's only touchdown, a 19-yard rushing score. The Crimson Tide have now lost back-to-back regular-season games for the first time since 2007 after last week’s defeat to No. 1 Georgia.

Tennessee’s balanced attack and resilient defense were key factors in their third consecutive victory, handing Alabama its second SEC loss of the season.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.