Bama-Vandy Notebook

Alabama got its first pass interception of the year late in the first quarter at Vanderbilt. It looked like the Tide had a second interception early in the fourth quarter, but the replay review by Southeastern Confererence officials overruled the decision.

Rashad Johnson got the first interception of the year for Alabama. And it looked like he had a second as Vandy was passing against a six-man Alabama secondary when trailing 24-3 in the fourth quarter. But the play was ruled a trap.

With Alabama’s 24-10 win over Vanderbilt, the Crimson Tide now has 60 victtories against the Commodores. Vandy has beaten Alabama only 19 times and there have been four ties. Saturday’s game was the first meeting between the two Southeastern Conference teams in Nashville since a 30-8 Alabama win in 2002.

Alabama has held Vanderbilt to 10 points or less in seven of the last eight meetings, the lone exception in 1999, a 28-17 Crimson Tide victory in Nashville. Coming into Saturday’s game, when Bama scored 24 points, the Tide had averaged 24.4 points in the previous seven games.

Alabama has now won 16 consecutive SEC opening games, dating back to the 1991 season and a 35-0 loss to Florida in Gainesville.

The Crimson Tide is 6-4 in its last 10 road openers (conference and non-conference).

Alabama punter P.J. Fitzgerald had a nice day, although he had a better day when the brisk wind was at his back. He had punts of 52 and 58 yards with the wind. His 58-yard effort was his career best. Late in the game with the wind in his face just before the rains came, his punt traveled only 30 yards.

Wide Receiver Keith Brown and middle linebacker Prince Hall both played in the game after having been suspended for the season-opener.

Placekicker Jamie Christenson, who is recovering from injury, was not on the trip. Andrew Friedman was the back-up kicker.

When Alabama right tackle Mike Johnson suffered a second quarter ankle injury, he was not replaced by back-up B.J. Stabler. Instead, center Antoine Caldwell moved to right tackle and Evan Cardwell replaced Caldwell at center.

Jamie Christenson was not on the trip. Andrew Friedman was back-up kicker.

Vanderbilt benched star quarterback Chris Nickson after just one play of the second half and went the rest of the way with sophomore back-up Mackenzi Adams.