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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- A haze of cigar smoke filled the Tennessee interview room -- all of Neyland Stadium, for that matter -- and former Vols great Alvin Kamara peeked through the curtain as a hoarse Josh Heupel did his best to paint what was another memorable Third Saturday in October for the Vols.
Tennessee had suffered through 15 straight losses to bitter rival Alabama when Heupel arrived as Tennessee's coach in 2021. Now, in his fourth season, the Vols have won two of their last three against the Crimson Tide, this latest a 24-17 conquest that saw Tennessee recover from its third straight scoreless first half, finally find some explosive plays in the passing game in the second half and lean on a defense that Heupel called both "elite" and "special" after watching that unit hold an opponent under 20 points for the seventh straight game this season.