Vanderbilt Football vs Alabama Crimson Tide Football Match Player Stats: Deep Dive Into the Box Score

The rivalry between Vanderbilt and Alabama has transformed from a predictable SEC narrative into one of the most statistically intriguing matchups in college football. Analyzing the player stats from their recent encounters reveals a significant shift in how these two programs distribute the ball and manage defensive pressure. While the record books highlight the wins and losses, the individual player statistics provide a clearer picture of the tactical battle on the gridiron, especially regarding efficiency under center and defensive backfield positioning.

Quarterback Performance and Passing Efficiency

In the most recent high-stakes meeting, the passing game defined the tempo. Alabama’s offensive strategy leaned heavily on the efficiency of Ty Simpson, who took the helm with clinical precision. Simpson completed 23 of 31 pass attempts, totaling 340 yards. His 74.2% completion rate and an average of 11.0 yards per attempt demonstrated a high-octane vertical threat that Vanderbilt struggled to contain for four quarters. Simpson’s ability to find open windows resulted in two passing touchdowns, with his longest completion stretching for 54 yards.

Conversely, Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia offered a different statistical profile. Pavia, known for his dual-threat capabilities, finished the game with 21 completions on 35 attempts for 198 yards. While his passing yardage was lower than Simpson’s, his role in the offense was more about game management and extending plays. Pavia’s average of 5.7 yards per attempt reflected a shorter, more conservative passing tree designed to mitigate Alabama's pass rush. Despite the pressure, he managed one passing touchdown and threw one interception, matching the interception count of Simpson.

Passing Stats Comparison

The contrast in these numbers highlights Alabama's success in explosive plays versus Vanderbilt's focus on a high-volume, low-risk aerial attack. Simpson's 14.8 yards per completion indicates that when he hit his targets, they were often in space or deep downfield, whereas Pavia's 9.4 yards per completion suggests a heavy reliance on screens and intermediate routes.

Rushing Attack and Ground Dominance

The ground game statistics offer some of the most telling insights into the physical nature of this matchup. Alabama’s Jamarion Miller was the undisputed workhorse. Carrying the ball 22 times, Miller amassed 136 yards, averaging 6.2 yards per carry. His performance was characterized by consistency, picking up a rushing touchdown and a long run of 22 yards. Miller’s ability to stay ahead of the chains was a primary reason Alabama controlled the possession clock for over 37 minutes.

For Vanderbilt, Sedrick Alexander provided the game's most explosive rushing highlight. Despite having only four carries, Alexander maximized his touches by gaining 76 yards. This included a career-long 65-yard touchdown run that briefly shifted the momentum in the first quarter. His staggering 19.0 yards per carry average is an outlier but underscores Vanderbilt’s ability to create sudden scoring threats despite a lower overall rushing volume. Diego Pavia also contributed significantly to the ground totals, rushing 12 times for 58 net yards. However, sacks accounted for 14 lost yards, which slightly suppressed his final rushing stats.

Rushing Totals

• Alabama: 38 attempts, 146 net yards, 1 TD. Average: 3.8 yards per rush.
• Vanderbilt: 19 attempts, 135 net yards, 1 TD. Average: 7.1 yards per rush.

The discrepancy in attempts (38 vs. 19) is a direct reflection of Alabama's ball-control strategy compared to Vanderbilt's reliance on the big play. While Vanderbilt was more efficient on a per-carry basis, Alabama’s sheer volume wore down the defensive front over time.

Receiving Corps: Targets and Yardage Distribution

The receiving stats show a concentrated target share for Alabama’s primary weapons. Ryan Williams emerged as the leading statistical threat, catching 6 passes on 7 targets for 98 yards. His 54-yard reception was the longest play from scrimmage in the passing game, and he added a receiving touchdown to his resume. Germie Bernard was equally reliable, securing all 5 of his targets for 82 yards and a 27-yard touchdown. The efficiency of the Alabama receivers was notable, with a high catch-to-target ratio across the board.

Vanderbilt’s receiving distribution was more spread out. Junior Sherrill was the most targeted player on the field, seeing 10 targets and hauling in 6 receptions for 49 yards. Richie Hoskins and Eli Stowers both contributed 3 catches each, totaling 37 and 22 yards respectively. A key statistical note for Vanderbilt was the involvement of Sedrick Alexander in the passing game; he caught all 3 of his targets for 22 yards and a touchdown, making him a multi-dimensional threat in the red zone. Cole Spence also provided a vertical spark with a 33-yard reception, finishing with 45 yards on just 2 catches.

Top Receivers by Yardage

1. Ryan Williams (ALA): 98 yards (6 receptions)
2. Germie Bernard (ALA): 82 yards (5 receptions)
3. Isaiah Horton (ALA): 66 yards (4 receptions)
4. Junior Sherrill (VAN): 49 yards (6 receptions)
5. Cole Spence (VAN): 45 yards (2 receptions)

Alabama’s ability to generate yards after catch (YAC) was a differentiator. Alabama players totaled 121 YAC, whereas Vanderbilt managed 95. This suggests that Alabama's scheme was more effective at putting receivers in positions to run after the catch in the open field.

Defensive Leaders and Sack Analytics

Defensive statistics provide a window into the intensity of the line of scrimmage. Alabama’s Justin Jefferson delivered a standout performance, leading all players with 14 total tackles, including 9 solo stops. His presence was felt in both the run gap and in pursuit of Pavia. Alabama’s defense, however, struggled to get home on the quarterback, recording only 1 sack for an 11-yard loss, credited to Justin Jefferson himself.

Vanderbilt’s defense, while allowing more yardage, was statistically more aggressive in the backfield. They recorded a season-high 4 sacks against Ty Simpson, resulting in 27 yards lost for the Crimson Tide. These sacks were distributed among four different players: Zaylin Wood, Khordae Sydnor, Joshua Singh, and Miles Capers. This balanced pressure suggests a successful blitz package or a rotating defensive front that Alabama’s offensive line struggled to pick up at times.

Defensive Stat Leaders

In the secondary, interceptions played a crucial role. Vanderbilt’s Martel Hight intercepted a pass on the opening drive, continuing a streak of forced turnovers for the Commodores. Alabama’s Keon Sabb also recorded an interception, returning it 12 yards. These turnovers were pivotal in the field position battle, though Alabama was more successful at converting turnovers into points.

Special Teams and Kicking Consistency

Kicking and special teams often go overlooked until they decide a game. In the most recent matchup, Conor Talty of Alabama was a statistical anchor. Talty was 3-for-4 on field goals, with successful kicks from 38, 30, and 30 yards. His only miss was a 47-yard attempt in the first quarter. He also maintained a 100% success rate on PATs (3/3) and was effective on kickoffs, recording 6 touchbacks on 7 kicks.

Vanderbilt’s Brock Taylor was perfect on his limited opportunities, going 2-for-2 on PATs. Nick Haberer handled punting duties for Vanderbilt, averaging 44.7 yards per punt over 3 attempts, with 2 punts pinned inside the 20-yard line. This helped Vanderbilt maintain a semblance of field position advantage even when the offense stalled.

Return stats were relatively modest. Alabama’s Lotz Eir Brooks returned 3 kickoffs for 64 yards, averaging 21.3 yards per return. Vanderbilt’s Tre Richardson had a single 27-yard kickoff return. Neither team managed a significant punt return, as both coverage units remained disciplined.

Comparing the 2025 and 2024 Statistical Profiles

To understand the current state of Vanderbilt vs. Alabama, one must look at how the stats have evolved since Vanderbilt's historic 40-35 upset in 2024. In that 2024 game, the statistics were vastly different, reflecting a game where Vanderbilt dictated the terms.

Key 2024 Stats Highlights:

• Time of Possession: Vanderbilt held the ball for 42:08 compared to Alabama's 17:52. This was a massive statistical outlier that prevented Alabama's offense from finding rhythm.
• Third Down Efficiency: Vanderbilt converted 12 of 18 third downs (66.7%), while Alabama was only 3 of 7.
• Quarterback Play: Diego Pavia had a higher passer rating in 2024, throwing for 252 yards and 2 touchdowns with no interceptions. Alabama's Jalen Milroe threw for 312 yards but had two critical turnovers (one interception and one fumble).

In the 2025 matchup, these stats normalized in Alabama’s favor. The Crimson Tide flipped the script on time of possession (37:23 for Alabama) and third-down conversions (7 of 15 for Alabama vs. 5 of 11 for Vanderbilt). This shift in fundamental stats explains why the scoreboard moved from a Vanderbilt upset to an Alabama victory. Alabama’s ability to sustain 11 and 16-play drives in the second half of the 2025 game exhausted a Vanderbilt defense that had previously thrived on short fields.

Situational Football: Red Zone and Third Downs

Success in the red zone is often the difference between a close game and a blowout. Alabama was nearly perfect in this regard during their 2025 meeting, scoring on 5 out of 5 chances. However, only 2 of those scores were touchdowns, with 3 being field goals. This suggests that while Alabama could move the ball into scoring range, the Vanderbilt defense tightened up significantly within their own 20-yard line.

Vanderbilt had far fewer opportunities, reaching the red zone only 3 times and scoring 1 touchdown. Their inability to convert red zone trips into points was a statistical barrier to keeping the game within one possession during the fourth quarter.

Third Down Performance by Quarter

The third-quarter stats were particularly damaging for Vanderbilt. Failing to convert either of their two third-down attempts in that period led to short drives and gave the ball back to an Alabama offense that used the clock to their advantage.

Strategic Takeaways from the Box Score

The player stats from the Vanderbilt vs. Alabama matchup confirm that while the talent gap is often discussed, the statistical execution is where the game is won. Alabama’s reliance on Ty Simpson’s arm and Jamarion Miller’s legs provided a balanced 486 yards of total offense. Vanderbilt, though limited to 333 total yards, showed they can still be dangerous through explosive plays from players like Sedrick Alexander and opportunistic defensive pressure from their front seven.

For future meetings, the key statistical battleground will likely remain the time of possession and third-down conversion rates. If Vanderbilt can return to their 2024 form of ball control, they can neutralize Alabama's speed. However, as the 2025 stats show, when Alabama controls the clock and limits turnovers, their statistical depth becomes overwhelming for the Commodores.