Sunday, October 18, 2026 Editions
ENESNEHIFR
The Orbit Post
Everything in your orbit.
Breaking
Norte Fire at 5 Percent Contained as First Evacuation Orders Are Lifted in Orange CountyHezbollah Says Seized Explosives Were Its Own, Meant for Israeli TroopsThree Children and a Teacher Killed in Shooting at Bend, Oregon Elementary SchoolJalen Hurts Out Against Panthers After Blood Clot Moves, Eagles SayNorte Fire at 5 Percent Contained as First Evacuation Orders Are Lifted in Orange CountyHezbollah Says Seized Explosives Were Its Own, Meant for Israeli TroopsThree Children and a Teacher Killed in Shooting at Bend, Oregon Elementary SchoolJalen Hurts Out Against Panthers After Blood Clot Moves, Eagles Say
Trending
Sports

Tennessee Beat Alabama 26-10 as Bishop Runs for Two Touchdowns

DeSean Bishop ran for 159 yards and two second half touchdowns, Cooper Ranvier kicked four field goals, and Tennessee's defense sacked Keelon Russell five times in a 26-10 win over Alabama at Neyland Stadium.

By Orbit Post3 min read
Read inENESNEHIFR
Tennessee Beat Alabama 26-10 as Bishop Runs for Two Touchdowns
Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aerial_view_of_Neyland_Stadium,_home_of_Tennessee_Volunteers.jpg)

Key points

  • No. 14 Tennessee beat Alabama 26-10 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in the annual Third Saturday in October game.
  • The Volunteers built their lead with the kicker.
  • Alabama scored off a turnover early in the second quarter.

No. 14 Tennessee beat Alabama 26-10 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in the annual Third Saturday in October game. DeSean Bishop ran 32 times for 159 yards and two touchdowns, both in the second half, and Cooper Ranvier made all four of his field goal tries. Tennessee has now beaten Alabama at home three straight times in this rivalry.

The Volunteers built their lead with the kicker. Their first drive went 63 yards in 12 plays and ended with a 29 yard Ranvier field goal. Jeremiah Telander then sacked Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell and forced a fumble that Xavier Gilliam recovered at the Alabama 19, and Ranvier added a 33 yard field goal. One drive later, George MacIntyre hit DaSaahn Brame for 26 yards to set up a 41 yard Ranvier field goal, and Tennessee led 9-0 with 4:32 left in the first quarter.

Alabama get close, then stall

Alabama scored off a turnover early in the second quarter. Ivan Taylor intercepted MacIntyre and returned the ball to the Tennessee 14, and Russell ran 19 yards for a touchdown on the next snap to make it 9-7. Tennessee answered with a 60 yard drive and a fourth Ranvier field goal, from 34 yards. Alabama had a fourth down fumble of its own near the goal line, then got a 42 yard Conor Talty field goal with five seconds left in the half to trail 12-10 at the break.

The second half went one way. Alabama opened it with a 10 play drive, but Telander and Nathan Robinson stopped Daniel Hill for no gain on fourth and 1 at the Tennessee 40. Tennessee took over, went 60 yards in nine plays, and Bishop broke a 20 yard run to the Alabama 5 before scoring on the next play for a 19-10 lead. In the fourth quarter the Volunteers held the ball for 9 minutes and 32 seconds on a 15 play, 72 yard drive, and Bishop scored again from 5 yards with 3:17 left. Alabama's last drive ended when Kayin Lee intercepted Russell in the end zone with 48 seconds to play.

A defense that owned the day

Tennessee outgained Alabama 347 yards to 201, held the ball for 35 minutes and 44 seconds, and scored on all five of its trips into the red zone. The defense sacked Russell five times and made 10 tackles for loss. Telander and Tyree Weathersby had two sacks each, and Dejuan Lane finished with five tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery. Russell completed 19 of 29 passes for 147 yards with two interceptions. Alabama ran for only 54 yards, converted 2 of 13 third downs and turned the ball over four times. MacIntyre completed 21 of 31 passes for 197 yards for Tennessee, and Mike Matthews caught seven passes for 85 yards.

What it means

Tennessee improved to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in the SEC. Alabama fell to 5-2 and 3-2 in the SEC. The Crimson Tide have lost two games in a row in the same season for the first time since 2013, after last week's loss to Georgia. Alabama hosts Texas A&M on Saturday, Oct. 24.

Timeline

  1. Oct 17, 2026Cooper Ranvier kicks field goals of 29, 33 and 41 yards and Tennessee leads Alabama 9-0 in the first quarter at Neyland Stadium.
  2. Oct 17, 2026Keelon Russell runs 19 yards for an Alabama touchdown and Conor Talty adds a late field goal, and Tennessee leads 12-10 at half time.
  3. Oct 17, 2026DeSean Bishop scores on 5 yard runs in the third and fourth quarters and Tennessee beats Alabama 26-10.

Sources