KNOXVILLE — Defeating Alabama inside Neyland Stadium was nothing new for the Tennessee Volunteers under Josh Heupel.
Repeatedly pounding the Crimson Tide was different.
Behind DeSean Bishop’s 32 carries for 159 yards and two touchdowns and one of the most unrelenting defensive performances in recent Vols history, Tennessee thumped its longtime rival 26-10 Saturday before a frenzied sellout crowd of 101,915. It was Tennessee’s third consecutive home victory over Alabama — the series is 3-3 overall since Heupel’s arrival in 2021 — but it was the first Vols triumph over the Tide by multiple scores since recording five straight under Phillip Fulmer from 1997 to 2001.
Heupel’s third win over the Tide in Neyland Stadium was followed by the third field-storming and countless victory cigars.
“Now there is an expectation when you’re playing these guys,” Heupel said. “It’s been fun building this. There have been days when we wanted different outcomes, but this is without a doubt the best fan base in America. Recruits come here and drop by the Vol Navy and see all those boats. You go to the Vol Walk and see 35,000 people, and 60 minutes before kickoff, this place if 65% or 70% full.