Alabama football was in a tough spot.

The Crimson Tide trailed by four players in the final two minutes and needed a touchdown. It had the ball at its own 18-yard line and needed 22 yards for a first down. An incomplete pass on third-and-7, followed by a personal foul on Kendrick Law, sparked the fourth-and-22 puzzle.

There were 1:53 remaining and Alabama had all three timeouts.

Then the Crimson Tide decided to play a game instead of punt. Running back Justice Haynes caught a short pass for 13 yards, not close enough for a first down. Sales at Downs.

Tennessee got the ball deep in Alabama territory but failed to get a first down. The Volunteers then kicked the field goal and took a 24-17 lead with 1:32 left.

The Crimson Tide got the ball back again with 1:30 left, but Jalen Milroe threw an interception on the first play of the game. As a result, Tennessee defeated the Crimson Tide 24-17 at Neyland Stadium on Saturday.

After the game, Alabama's second loss of the season, Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer was asked to describe his thinking on the fourth-and-22 decision.

“Either way, it’s going to be a punt and you’re going to get the ball back if you stop them,” DeBoer said. “On our side, you have to get a touchdown in both directions. If you can only hold them to a field goal, you'll have to stop three plays in a row. Take advantage of your three timeouts.”

DeBoer said the decision could reasonably go either way. He said if Alabama stops Tennessee, the Crimson Tide would have to get the punt back and drive the entire length of the field.

“So they get one more play,” DeBoer said. “They did a good job checking in and out. It was an opportunity for us. I know what it looks like when you see it. There's a game plan reason why we would do something that I understand you're throwing short too. Hats off to them. They played it the way they needed to. Adjusted. I couldn't give myself a break in this situation. When we got to it, we needed the three for the defensive sequence.”