Notebook: Smell of Victory not so Sweet for Some Alabama Players

Puffing on a victory cigar after a win against Tennessee is fun Crimson Tide tradition for players, but it doesn't taste or smell all that great.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The smoke started wafting down through Bryant-Denny Stadium with about two minutes left in the game.

The Alabama defense stopped Tennessee on fourth down, which secured a 34-20 comeback victory.

Following the postgame meeting with Nick Saban in the locker room, several Crimson Tide players sprinted back onto the field to celebrate with fans.

Of course, they were smoking a traditional victory cigar.

“I don’t like that stink,” Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe said. “I had to take a shower to get that smell off me.”

Running back Jase McClellan had a similar attitude.

“It was bad,” said McClellan, who ran for 115 yards and a touchdown.

Saban made his way through the smoky haze at the end of the game toward the South end zone. He acknowledged the Crimson Tide fans, which played a key role in shifting the momentum and affecting that key fourth-quarter drive—Tennessee was flagged twice for a false start in the Alabama red zone.

“I know how much this game and the rivalry of this game means to our fans,” Saban said. “I also wanted to thank them because of what a great job they did and the impact they had on the game and the atmosphere of the game. It kept the energy level up for our team and kept the momentum rolling for us in the second half. It was fantastic.”

Setting the tone

Tennessee was the No. 1 run defense in the SEC, allowing just 82 yards a game. Alabama had just 16 rushing yards in the first half, and Tennessee was well on its way to living up to its reputation.

The script flipped on the first play of the second half when McClellan nearly doubled the first-half run total after he broke off a 29-yard run. Alabama scored on the next play and the momentum was in Alabama’s court.

“That’s what set the tone,” McClellan said. “That’s how we come out in the second half, with big plays and attacking. It was more about execution and getting guys in the right spots.”

McClellan finished with 115 yards and a touchdown. Alabama had 138 rushing yards, the second-most allowed by Tennessee this season (183 vs. Florida).

Rocky start

The first-quarter stats were considerably lopsided in favor of Tennessee. Tennessee gained 10 first downs to Alabama’s one; totaled 187 yards to Alabama’s 36, and ran 29 plays for 10:31 time of possession to Alabama’s 11 plays and 4:29 to take the 13-0 lead.

Racking up points

Alabama entered Saturday ranked third in total points allowed against SEC foes (68) through four games, while Tennessee was No. 1 (62) through three games. Tennessee appeared on its way to maintaining that SEC lead in the first half. Alabama flipped the switch and outscored the Vols 27-0, and finished with 34 points, more than half the point total Tennessee has allowed from SEC teams.

Inside the numbers

34: Kicker Will Reichard took over as the SEC’s all-time career points leader last week with 486. He drilled two field goals, including a 50-yarder, on Saturday and is 34 points away from tying the NCAA lead (530).

2003-04: Tennessee hasn’t had back-to-back wins against Alabama since 2003-04.

396: Tennessee has outscored opponents 396-149 in the first quarter under Josh Heupel. Tennessee outscored Alabama 21-7 last year and 13-0 Saturday.

18: Number of times the Tennessee band played Rocky Top, including six times before kickoff.

Tidebits

• Game captains for Alabama were OL Tyler Booker, DB Malachi Moore and LB Deontae Lawson.

• Former Crimson Tide players Reggie Ragland and Courtney Upshaw served as honorary captains.

• Former Crimson Tide linebacker C.J. Mosley, now with the New York Jets, was also in attendance.

• On Jermaine Burton’s touchdown pass in the second quarter, former Alabama player Brandon Turnage was the defensive back on the coverage. The two got into a slight dustup after the play.

• Game officials were Referee, Ken Williamson; Umpire, Russ Pulley; Linesman, Stephen Ray; Line judge, Mickey Bryson; Back judge, Keith Parham; Field judge, Barry Blackwell; Side judge, Brandon Spencer; Center judge, Joel Moenkhoff; Replay Official, Jordan Craddock.

He’s chewing the Luke @fluffopotamus88 special cigar! https://t.co/bUfI89i8jE pic.twitter.com/B7tNq2v9ln

— R&R Cigars (@RandRCigars) October 22, 2023

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