Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams is fired up as he gears up for a chance to make things right against Vanderbilt, especially after last year’s unexpected setback. In a stunning upset that left many scratching their heads, the Crimson Tide fell to the Commodores 40-35—a loss that broke a 40-year winning streak against them. Coming off an impressive victory over Georgia and standing atop the AP poll, Alabama found themselves on the wrong end of one of the season’s biggest surprises.
In a recent conversation with Jon Gruden, Williams made it clear that this year’s matchup with Vanderbilt is a chance for redemption. “Going into this game, we don’t call them revenge games. We’re going to kill an ant with a sledgehammer this year,” Williams asserted. His passion reflects the intensity brewing within the locker room, as he and his teammates are determined to not just win, but to dominate every opponent in their sights. “Every game we fell short last year, we definitely got red eyes going into them,” he added, showcasing the unwavering resolve to rectify past mistakes.
Williams himself had a notable performance in last year’s clash, with a spectacular 58-yard touchdown reception and a two-yard rushing score late in the game. Yet, credit must be given to Vanderbilt, who excelled in execution and time management, controlling the ball for an astounding 42 out of 60 minutes. As Williams acknowledged, “They just played a better football game than us that game. We came out slow, and they capitalized. They held the ball, they had their game plan, and they executed it.” This humility speaks volumes about his commitment to improvement.
Vanderbilt’s victory last year was significant for them, marking not only the end of Alabama’s reign over them but also a challenging 2023 season in which they failed to snag an SEC win. For Alabama, that defeat was just one chapter in a tumultuous season under Kalen DeBoer’s leadership, stepping in to replace Nick Saban. Following the surprising loss to Vanderbilt, Alabama also stumbled against Tennessee and Oklahoma, underscoring a year of trials that ended with a disappointing finish in the Reliaquest Bowl against Michigan, where pivotal turnovers marred their performance.
As Alabama looks toward 2025, Williams, who shone as a true freshman with 865 yards and eight touchdowns, knows his contributions will be crucial for the Tide’s aspirations for redemption. The journey kicks off as they face Vanderbilt on October 4, but it doesn’t stop there—Alabama also has showdowns lined up against Tennessee on October 18 and Oklahoma on November 15. With a powerful motivation to avenge past missteps, the Crimson Tide are gearing up for a season of atonement and determination. Fans should keep an eye on this one; Alabama is eager to reclaim its dominance.
