Mike Matthews’ hit on Alabama defensive back Bray Hubbard became one of the defining moments of Tennessee’s 26-10 win, even if the play itself was erased from the official result.
Late in the fourth quarter with Tennessee up nine and a little more than nine minutes left, the Vols were trying to close things out. DeSean Bishop bounced outside from the Alabama 47 and looked headed for a 34-yard gain down the sideline, but Matthews came flying in and delivered a crushing block on Hubbard.
The play drew a personal foul and wiped out the run, though Tennessee immediately answered with a 16-yard catch by Matthews on the next snap. That drive eventually ended with another Bishop touchdown.
Hubbard was asked about the hit after the game and said he was fine. He also made it clear he recognized the penalty.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s not a clean hit,” Hubbard said. “Lost my breath, spinning a little bit.
I got back up. I’m a dog.
I don’t know. It’s an illegal hit, so.”
Even though the block came with a flag, plenty of Tennessee fans embraced the kind of edge it showed. To them, it fit the way the Vols were wearing down Alabama with physical play on both sides of the ball.
Matthews also made his mark in the passing game. He finished with seven catches for 85 yards, and both totals led the game. Several of his receptions turned into important yards after the catch as Tennessee kept control of the night.
The Vols now turn to a road trip to South Carolina. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.
ET this Saturday, with the game set to air on either SEC Network or ESPN. Tennessee opened the week as a 2.5-point favorite, according to FanDuel.
In Other News...
George MacIntyre Revealed What Meant Most In Tennessees Alabama Win
George MacIntyres second career start came in one of the biggest settings in college football, and Tennessee left Neyland Stadium with a win over Alabama to match it. The quarterback handled the workload well enough to keep the offense moving, finishing 21 of 31 for 197 yards while navigating a game that demanded patience, poise and a lot of help around him.
Afterward, MacIntyre talked through his own performance and kept coming back to the same theme: what mattered most was the way Tennessee responded when the game got tense. He also made a point to single out teammates, including freshman wide receiver TK Keys, as the Volunteers showed the kind of resilience that can define a season long after the final whistle. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessees Win Over Alabama Revealed A Few Vols Fans Need To Notice
Tennessees 26-10 win over Alabama brought plenty of obvious heroes, but the snap counts and grades from Pro Football Focus offered a closer look at how the Vols pieced together one of their biggest home victories in recent memory. The numbers pointed to a mix of burst, balance and opportunism, with freshman wide receiver TK Keys earning the top grade despite limited work, while DeSean Bishop handled the most snaps on offense and finished with two second-half touchdowns.
There was also encouraging detail on the defensive side, where Jeremiah Telander led Tennessee with a 73.0 grade in just 18 snaps. Edwin Spillman and S Dejuan Lane also stood out, and Lanes night included both an interception and a fumble recovery, the kind of disruptive production that can swing a game and give the Vols more to build on as they move deeper into the schedule. [Read more 🡒]
Arion Carter Turned His NCAA Suspension Into A Tennessee Cause
Arion Carters 2026 season opened with an NCAA suspension hanging over it, the result of a reimbursed flight payment during the pre-draft process. Once he returned to the field, the Tennessee linebacker channeled that detour into something bigger than football, tying his season to a personal cause by donating $427 for every tackle he makes to cancer research.
So far, Carters effort has already turned into a meaningful sum, with 43 tackles and two sacks helping push his donation total to $19,361. With five regular-season games still left, there is still room for that number to climb, and for a player who has already turned a bureaucratic setback into a larger statement, that matters plenty in Knoxville. [Read more 🡒]