Alabama fans vent as Tide trails Tennessee at halftime

Alabama fans vent as Tide trails Tennessee at halftime

Joe Milton found McCallan Castles on a 6-yard touchdown pass on third-down with 12 seconds left in the first half to give Tennessee a commanding 20-7 lead at halftime.

The Vols converted 6 of 11 on third-down conversions in the first half, something Alabama coach Nick Saban said had to change for the Tide to have success.

Joe Milton finished the first half 16 of 22 for 175 yards and two scores.

“Do thing the ordinary things at a high level,” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said at half of his quarterback’s comfort level. “Fundamentally, he is playing well.”

He praised the protection and the play of the receivers. “We’re going to need more of that in the second half,” he added.

Still, Tennessee managed 15 first downs and 275 yards of total offense. The Vols are 22-0 when leading at halftime.

“Reset, replay, refocus, play one play at a time in the second half,” Heupel said of the second half. “You got to play for 60 at this point.

To say Alabama fans are frustrated would be an understatement.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.