tuscaloosa, Ala. – With Tua Tagovailoa hurt, No. 1 Alabama turned to running back Najee Harris (two TDs) and the defense to hold off Tennessee 35-13 on Saturday.
The Crimson Tide (7-0, 4-0 Southeastern Conference) faced its first test of the season without last season's Heisman Trophy runner-up against the five-touchdown underdogs. Both starting quarterbacks left the game before halftime, and the Volunteers (2-5, 1-3) put up a fight much of the way.
Tagovailoa left with what coach Nick Saban called a high ankle sprain in the second quarter and didn't return, and could miss a couple of weeks, according to Saban. Tagovailoa finished 11-of-12 passing for 155 yards but also threw an interception on first-and-goal from the 2. Tennessee freshman Brian Maurer had also left with an unspecified injury, replaced by former starter Jarrett Guarantano.
With the Vols down 28-13, Trevon Diggs recovered Guarantano's fumble on fourth-and-goal from the 1 and raced 100 yards for a touchdown. Coach Jeremy Pruitt shouted angrily at Guarantano as the quarterback returned to the sideline.
Associated Press
