Alabama Crimson Tide
Roll Tide
Football:
Alabama Cruises Past LSU in SEC Clash, Extends Winning Streak Alabama continued its dominant run in the SEC with a 20-9 victory over LSU, marking the Crimson Tide’s eighth straight win and keeping their perfect conference record intact. The No. 4-ranked Tide withstood a determined LSU squad on Saturday night, grinding out the win and staying on pace for a potential SEC Championship Game appearance. The triumph also stretched Alabama’s home winning streak against unranked opponents to an incredible 85 games — though the contest wasn’t without tense moments. LSU threatened late in the fourth quarter, trailing 17-9 with 8:42 remaining, but Alabama’s defense made a pair of crucial stops to maintain the lead. Conor Talty’s 44-yard field goal with just over four minutes left put the game out of reach, giving Alabama its third straight victory over the Tigers. Alabama’s offense avoided any three-and-outs, yet finishing drives proved challenging. Quarterback Ty Simpson, who struggled at times, connected with Isaiah Horton for a pivotal 21-yard gain that set up Talty’s decisive kick, giving the crowd at Bryant-Denny Stadium a reason to cheer. Defensively, the Tide were largely in control. Aside from a 37-yard run by Harlem Berry in the first half, LSU’s offense had little success. So much so that interim coach Frank Wilson replaced veteran quarterback Garrett Nussmeier with sophomore Michael Van Buren Jr. in the second half. Van Buren brought a brief spark, but the Tigers (5-4, 2-4 SEC) finished with just 232 total yards.
Fourth-ranked Alabama pulled off a last-minute victory over South Carolina, leaving thousands of Gamecock fans stunned at the edge of the end zone in a dramatic 29-22 road win on Saturday. Germie Bernard’s 25-yard touchdown run with just 34 seconds remaining sealed Alabama’s seventh consecutive win and extended their SEC record to 5-0, following four straight victories over ranked opponents. The Crimson Tide had spent much of the second half trailing before tying the game with 2:16 left. Ty Simpson’s two-point pass to Josh Cuevas came right after Bernard’s scoring reception, leveling the score at 22. On South Carolina’s ensuing drive, Alabama linebacker Deontae Lawson forced a fumble from quarterback LaNorris Sellers as he was tackled by nose guard Tim Keenan at the 38-yard line with 1:39 remaining. Sellers had attempted a quarterback draw up the middle, but Alabama’s defense overpowered him, resulting in a turnover that was confirmed after review — a critical play and perhaps the most significant takeaway of the Kalen DeBoer era at Alabama. “They’re going to keep fighting as long as they stay in that mindset … we perform in the critical moments,” DeBoer told broadcasters after the game. “I’m proud of Deontae, I’m proud of Tim … they’re the heart of this team, captains who’ve been here forever. And I’m proud of our coaching staff for keeping them on the right path.”
No. 6 Alabama shut down No. 11 Tennessee, pulling away for a 37–20 win and marking its fourth consecutive victory over a ranked opponent. In the final seconds of the first half, Zabien Brown swung the momentum by taking an interception the length of the field—99 yards—for a touchdown. The Volunteers turned in an unusually quiet performance: they failed to reach the 30-point mark for the first time this year, and their pass rush, which had topped the SEC in sacks, didn’t manage to bring down the quarterback even once.
Ty Simpson delivered a standout performance as eighth-ranked Alabama edged No. 14 Missouri, 27–24, extending the Crimson Tide’s winning streak to five games. The Alabama quarterback totaled 200 passing yards and tossed three scores, including a decisive fourth-down strike to Daniel Hill with just over three minutes remaining. Despite back-to-back victories over ranked opponents Georgia and Vanderbilt, Alabama showed no signs of a letdown in its first visit to Columbia since 2020, holding off a late push from Missouri to secure the win.
Men and Women's Basketball
All Articles Written by: Vickie Mathis
Men's Basketball
Philon leads No. 11 Alabama past No. 8 Illinois in high-scoring battle CHICAGO — No. 11 Alabama earned a hard-fought 90–86 victory over eighth-ranked Illinois at the United Center on Wednesday, powered by a 24-point night from Labaron Philon. Philon knocked down three shots from deep and handed out five assists, while Taylor Bol Bowen and Aden Holloway added 12 and 11 points to help the Crimson Tide (3–1) notch a win in their third straight matchup against a top-10 opponent. The result helped Alabama rebound after falling to Purdue following a road win at St. John’s. Illinois (4–1) was led by Andrej Stojakovic’s 26 points, with Kylan Boswell contributing 22. Alabama held a slim 79–76 advantage entering the final minutes before Philon drilled a crucial 3-pointer with just over a minute to go. Illinois answered quickly, and the teams traded scores down the stretch. A late layup from Boswell cut the margin to three, but Alabama managed the clock and connected on enough free throws to keep the Illini at arm’s length. Houston Mallette hit the final pair from the line to secure the win. Illinois made its first appearance at the United Center since the 2023 Big Ten Tournament and received a full Chicago Bulls–style introduction. The crowd erupted midway through the first half when Ben Humrichous’ block led to a fast-break slam by Stojakovic, son of former NBA sharpshooter Peja Stojakovic, providing one of the highlight moments of the night.
Alabama came up short in a high-scoring battle against top-ranked Purdue, with the Crimson Tide’s issues on the glass proving decisive. Purdue dominated the boards, grabbing a 19–7 edge in offensive rebounds and a 52–28 advantage overall, making it difficult for Alabama to dictate tempo or protect the paint. Labaron Philon, Aiden Sherrell and Amari Allen each collected four rebounds to lead Alabama, but it wasn’t enough to offset the gap inside.
Labaron Philon poured in 25 points to lead No. 15 Alabama past fifth-ranked St. John’s, 103–96, at Madison Square Garden. Alabama closed the opening half on a 16–6 run, capped by a buzzer-beating three from Holloway that sent the Tide into the break ahead 53–44. Early in the second half, Alabama stretched the margin to double digits before St. John’s mounted a rally, eventually grabbing an 81–80 advantage on a Joson Sanon three with just over eight minutes remaining.
Women's Basketball
Samford Starts Fast but Drops Road Matchup at Alabama TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Samford’s women’s basketball team opened with a solid first half but couldn’t keep pace after the break, falling 84–46 to Alabama on Wednesday evening at Coleman Coliseum.