Alabama Football Celebrates Six Consecutive Wins, Defeats Tennessee

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama football secured its sixth straight win on Saturday night with a 23-7 victory over Tennessee, as head coach Kalen DeBoer encouraged his players to celebrate with postgame cigars following the rivalry match.

After an initial loss in Week 1 to Florida State, the Crimson Tide have rebounded impressively, now standing as the first team in SEC history to win four consecutive games against ranked opponents without a bye week, according to ESPN Research.

“They’ve got an edge to them still and haven’t lost it since Week 1. That’s hard to do,” DeBoer said. He noted that various motivational factors throughout the season have pushed his team to keep performing at a high level. “Our guys find a way to do it each week, so we’ve got to keep the pedal down.”

The game turned just before halftime when Tennessee was on the Alabama 1-yard line, trailing 16-7. Quarterback dropped back and aimed for tight end , but defensive back jumped the route, intercepting the pass and returning it 99 yards for a touchdown, stretching Alabama’s lead to 23-7.

“The ball fell right in my hand,” said Brown about his pivotal interception. “I saw open field and started running, thinking if I get tackled, the time will run out. I had to get in the end zone.”

The defense showcased significant improvement, as Alabama held Tennessee, the SEC’s highest-scoring offense, to a season-low 20 points. They also managed a safety and limited the Volunteers to just two scores on five red zone opportunities.

As fans celebrated early with cigars, Alabama continued its dominance in the series, marking their 11th straight home victory. DeBoer improved his home record to 11-0 since taking over last season. Notably, he has led the team to six consecutive wins while sporting a black hoodie on the sidelines, a style choice that has sparked conversations among fans.

“This isn’t new. I’ve done this for years,” DeBoer said regarding his hoodie. “But we’re going to ride the momentum. I told the guys not to get any cigar ashes on it.”

The Crimson Tide now sit at 4-0 in SEC play and are among two unbeaten teams in the conference. Their next challenge will take them on the road before a scheduled open date.

“We understand that preparation gets you mentally ready and confident on the field,” DeBoer noted. “When you’re confident, you have more energy. That’s what fires me up about our guys.”