University of Tennessee Athletics

Alabama Ends Vols' Seven-Year Streak, 34-14
October 26, 2002 | Football
Oct. 26, 2002
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KNOXVILLE - Alabama took advantage of six Tennessee turnovers in defeating the Vols 34-14 before 107,722 at Neyland Stadium.
With the victory, the Crimson Tide ends UT's seven-game winning streak over Alabama-the longest for the Vols in the colorful series and the longest for any opponent over Alabama.
After Leonard Scott's 13-yard touchdown run on a reverse to narrow the Tide's lead to 24-14 at the 1:46 mark in the third quarter, Alabama answered by going 76 yards in 15 plays, consuming 8:15 to open a 27-14 lead.
The Tide added a late score after Charlie Peprah intercepted a Casey Clausen pass and returned it 49 yards to the UT 1. Santonio Beard's second touchdown of the night made it 34-14 with 3:22 remaining.
"This was a tough loss," Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer said. "Alabama is a fine team. We helped them a lot. They made the breaks and took advantage. We sure made a lot of mistakes."
Alabama took a 14-7 advantage into halftime with both scores coming after Tennessee turnovers.
On Tennessee's first possession, Alabama defensive back Gerald Dixon scooped up a lateral pass and returned it 66 yards for a touchdown.
In the second quarter, after the Vols drove to the Alabama 6, Charles Jones intercepted a Clausen pass in the end zone. Bama struck quickly following the turnover, going 80 yards in six plays, highlighted by Brodie Croyle's 56-yard pass to Zach Fletcher. Beard's 10-yard rush with 52 second remaining in the half made it 14-0.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Tide elected to kick it to upback Mark Jones. Jones returned the kick 87 yards for a score to pull the Vols to a 14-7 deficit at the break.
Alabama held Tennessee to a season-222 yards of total offense.
Tennessee travels to South Carolina, who had an open date today, next Saturday in a 3:30 p.m. (EST) kickoff that will be televised nationally by CBS.