Vanderbilt Stuns No. 1 Alabama, 40-35

The Crimson Tide never led as Alabama suffers its first loss to the Commodores in 40 years.

Oct 5, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia (2) is tackled by Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Deontae Lawson (0) and defensive back Domani Jackson (1) during the first half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-Imagn Images / Butch Dill-Imagn Images

NASHVILLE, Tenn.–– Alabama was adamant it wasn’t going to fall into any sort of trap with Saturday’s game at Vanderbilt, but the Crimson Tide never led. 

The Commodores upset No. 1 Alabama 40-35 for their first victory over the Crimson Tide in 40 years. 

"We weren't at our best today," Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer said after the game. "We're gonna find out how much we care about each other, and what it looks like moving forward. We've been tested in different ways, really, a lot of the games here this season, and this is a different type of test for us now in our response."

Ryan Williams’ second touchdown of the game, cut the deficit to five points with a little over two minutes to go. However, when it absolutely had to have one, the Alabama defense couldn’t get a stop, and Vanderbilt was able to run the clock out for the victory.  

Vanderbilt imposed its will on the opening possession of the game, driving all the way down the field to grab the early lead. Randon Fontenette intercepted Jalen Milroe on Alabama’s first possession and returned it 29 yards for a pick-six to give the Commodores the 13-0 lead less than seven minutes into the game. 

Alabama struggled to stop Vanderbilt in the first half, and a costly penalty on special teams extended a Commodore drive after the Crimson Tide had gotten a stop at the end of the first quarter. Instead, the drive continued into the second quarter, where Vanderbilt pushed the lead to 20-7. 

After Vanderbilt’s only punt of the second half, the Alabama offense went three-and-out and gave Vanderbilt good field position. A second-half sack fumble was also costly for the Crimson Tide. 

Jam Miller helped keep the offense afloat with two first-half touchdowns. But in the end, it came down to the defense's inability to get a stop. 

Alabama falls to 4-1 (1-1 SEC) and Vanderbilt (3-2, 1-1 SEC) picks up its first SEC win since 2022.

Live Updates

(most recent updates at the top)

Score: Vanderbilt 40, Alabama 35

Fourth Quarter

• Vanderbilt gets another first down, and that will do it. Alabama is out of timeouts with 1:10 to go. Vanderbilt will beat Alabama for the first time in 40 years.
• Vanderbilt runs the screen to perfection for a first down. That's a major blow for Alabama as the clock hits the two-minute warning.
• Pavia rushes for a two-yard loss on first down. Timeout Alabama, 2:38 left.
• Vanderbilt gets the ball at the 18 with 2:44 to go.
• Alabama pitches backward to Ryan Williams, who beats the edge for a touchdown. Vanderbilt 40, Alabama 35- 2:46 4Q
• Vanderbilt calls timeout before Alabama's fourth-and-1 from the 2-yard line with 2:54 to go in the ballgame.
• Alabama faces third-and-10 from the 11. A screen to Miller has Alabama one yard short of the marker.
• First down to Adams inside the Vanderbilt 11.
• The call stands. First-and-10 Alabama from the Vanderbilt 23.
• Incredible catch by Germie Bernard gives Alabama the ball inside Vanderbilt territory. The play is under review.
• Alabama starts at the 25 with just over five minutes to go.
• Stop me if you've heard this one before. On third-and-2, Pavia finds an open receiver. This time it's Kamrean Johnson for a 6-yard touchdown. Vanderbilt has its lead back to two-scores. Vanderbilt 40, Alabama 28- 5:07 4Q
• Vanderbilt completion to Skinner gives the Commodores a first down at the Alabama 14.
• Big third-and-2 coming up from the Alabama 45. Pavia has all day to throw and finds a diving receiver for the first down.
• Elijah Pritchett gets blown past on first down. Milroe is sacked and fumbles. Vanderbilt takes over at its own 47 with 9:36 to go.
• Milroe then connects with Bernard for a first down.
• First play of the drive is a big connection over the middle to Dippre.
• Alabama will start at the 25.
• Taylor's 35-yard field goal is good. Vanderbilt 33, Alabama 28- 10:35 4Q
• A Vanderbilt touchdown is wiped out by a holding penalty. It makes it third-and-14 from the Alabama 22. Pavia runs it for about seven yards, and is well short of the first-down marker.
• On third-and-short, Vanderbilt gashes Alabama up the middle for a first down into the red zone.
• Vanderbilt will have first down at the Alabama 40 to start the fourth quarter, holding a two-point lead.

Third Quarter

END 3: Vanderbilt 30, Alabama 28

• The Alabama defense misses multiple tackles on a shovel play, and Vanderbilt is back inside Alabama territory on the final play of the third quarter.
• Vanderbilt takes over at the 25 after the Alabama TD.
• Wow. Ryan Williams does it again. Milroe finds Williams, and he does the rest, breaking two tackles for a 58-yard touchdown. Vanderbilt 30, Alabama 28- 1:01 3Q
• After two short gains, Alabama is jumps on third down for a false start to make it third-and-7 from its own 43 with 1:19 left in the third quarter.
• Milroe connects with Cole Adams for a first down.
• Alabama will start at the 25 after a touchback.
• On fourth-and-1, Pavia finds Junior Sherrill behind the defense for a 36-yard touchdown to push it back to a two-score lead. Vanderbilt 30, Alabama 21- 2:53 3Q
• Vanderbilt takes over at the Alabama 45 with 5:06 left in the 3Q.
• Milroe finds Germie Bernard after nearly falling down in the end zone, but he was past the line of scrimmage when he threw it, which results in a loss of downs. Alabama will punt.
• Short rush on first down and incompetion on second down sets up third-and-9 for the Alabama offense from its own 5-yard line.
• Alabama will start at the 4 after a perfectly placed punt.
• Even though Vanderbilt had to punt, that drive still took 5:46 off the clock.
• The Commodores nearly convert on another third-and-9, but the ball slips through the receiver's hands. Vanderbilt will punt from midfield.
• No. They can't get a stop. Vanderbilt converts again on third-and-long.
• Another good play by Robinson sets up third-and-8 for Vanderbilt. Can Alabama get a third-down stop?
• Que Robinson gets the sack on first down, but two plays later, Vanderbilt converts its eighth third down of the game.
• Vanderbilt will start at the 25 after a touchback.
• Milroe keeps from 14 yards out and flashes his speed for a touchdown. Vanderbilt 23, Alabama 21- 12:01 3Q
• Back-to-back completions to Williams have Alabama inside the red zone.
• Ryan Williams' first catch of the day goes for a first down to the Vanderbilt 25.
• Milroe completes his first attempt of the second half to Germie Bernard. And then he connects with Robbie Ouzts for a first down into Vandy territory.
• Emmanuel Henderson returns the opening kickoff out to the 46.

Halftime Notes

Alabama at Vanderbilt halftime stats /

Alabama at Vanderbilt halftime stats /

• Alabama is set to receive the ball to start the second half.
• Vanderbilt had the ball for 21:28 of the 30 minutes in the first half.
• Vanderbilt has as many points in the first half (23) as it did total in its last five matchups against Alabama.
• That was the first time this season Jalen Milroe has not scored in a half for the Crimson Tide.
• Vanderbilt was 70 percent (7 for 10) on third downs in the first half.

Second Quarter

END 2Q: Vanderbilt 23, Alabama 14

• Vanderbilt lined up for the 60-yard kick, and then took a timeout. Vanderbilt does punt after the timeout.
• A delay of game on Vanderbilt kills the momentum for the Commodores. Alabama gets a stop on third-and 15.
• Pavia pitches it forward to Stowers, who runs it down to the Alabama 39. Vanderbilt is now 7-of-9 on third downs.
• Alabama uses its final timeout with 1:13 left. It will be third-and-5 for Vandy from the 30 after the timeout.
• Alabama calls timeout with 1:19 left after a two-yard rush from Vanderbilt.
• Vanderbilt will start at the 25 after a touchback.

Walk it IN. 🙌@JamarionMiller1

📺: SEC Network pic.twitter.com/lw4OYfT6vo

— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) October 5, 2024

• Miller rushes it in from three yards out for his second touchdown of the day. Nicholson's extra point is good. Vanderbilt 23, Alabama 14- 1:25 2Q
• Miller bursts through the Vandy defense and gets outside all the way down to the Vanderbilt 3. Timeout Vanderbilt with 1:33 to go in the first half.
• Short pass to Jam Miller for four yards on first down to the Vandy 35.
• Haynes carries for a first down on the first play out of the two-minute warning.
• After review, no targeting on Vanderbilt. Alabama is at the 50-yard line with 2:22 to go.
• Milroe completes to Kobe Prentice on third-and-five for a first down to keep the drive alive. Vanderbilt is called for targeting on the play, which should get the Crimson Tide deeper into Vanderbilt territory pending review.
• Dump off to Haynes goes for 7 yards. Milroe keeps on second down, but loses yards as he slips on the turf.
• Haynes rushes up the middle for a 14-yard gain on first down.
• Henderson opts to return the kickoff again. This time he gets to the 16.
• Brock Taylor's 51-yard field goal is good. Vanderbilt 23, Alabama 7- 4:10 2Q
• Alabama finally gets a third-down stop on third-and-14. Vanderbilt sets up for the 50-yard field goal.
• The Alabama defense is completely fooled on second-and-short, and the Commodores are now inside the Alabama 30.
• Alabama stops Pavia on first down, but he keeps for 12 yards into Alabama territory on second down.
• After the punt, Vanderbilt will start with its best field position at the 42.
• Milroe connects with Ryan Williams for a first down on third-and-11. The play is under review, as Williams bobbled the ball going out of bounds. After review, the pass is incomplete.
• Incomplete for Germie Bernard on first down. Milroe is sacked on second down to set up third-and-long.
• Emmanuel Henderson fumbles the kickoff, but after review, his elbow was down. Alabama will start at the 14.
• That was another long, methodical drive for Vandy–– 17 plays, 75 yards, 9:50.
• Alexander rushes in for his second touchdown of the game, this time from one yard out. Vanderbilt extends its lead. Vanderbilt 20, Alabama 7- 9:32 2Q
• Alabama calls a timeout to avoid 12-men penalty. Vanderbilt has second-and-goal from the 2.
• Pavia gets the edge on third-and-1 to give the Commodores a first-and-goal from the Alabama 1. Vanderbilt is now 5 for 6 on third downs.
• Alabama breaks up Pavia's attempt on third-and-11, but Que Robinson is called for roughing the passer to give the Commodores a first down.
• The first play of the second quarter is third-and-8 for Vanderbilt. Pavia keeps it for a first down, plus a face mask penalty tacks on 15 extra yards down to the Alabama 22.

First Quarter

END 1Q: Vanderbilt 13, Alabama 7

• Ryan Williams fair catches the punt on his own 13-yard line. But Alabama had two No. 2s (Ryan Williams and Zabien Brown) on the field, so Vanderbilt gets a field down for "illegal numbering." Commodores get the ball at the Alabama 47.
• Deontae Lawson makes a tackle in the open field for the Tide defense to finally get a third-down stop and force a punt with less than a minute to go in the first quarter.
• Vanderbilt is now 3-3 on third downs after converting a third-and-6 from their own 29.
• Vanderbilt will start at the 25 after the Crimson Tide's first touchdown.
• Jam Miller rushes it in from eight yards out to get Alabama on the board. Graham Nicholson's PAT is good. Vanderbilt 13, Alabama 7- 4:22 1Q
• On third-and-6 from the Vandy, Milroe finds Josh Cuevas for a first down to the Vanderbilt 9. Cuevas is hit hard on the play, but holds on to the ball. He is briefly looked at by trainers, but is able to run off the field on his own.
• Justice Haynes rushes for a one-yard loss on first down. Milroe connects with CJ Dippre over the middle for a 46-yard gain into Vanderbilt territory.
• Alabama will try again from the 25-yard line.
• On third-and-6, Jalen Milroe attempts a pass intended for Ryan Williams. The ball is deflected and tipped high in the air, Randon Fontenette grabs it in the air and returns it 24 yards for the pick-six. Vanderbilt misses the extra point, but extends the lead. Vanderbilt 13, Alabama 0- 8:03 1Q
• Justice Haynes rushes up the middle for four yards on Alabama's first play from scrimmage.
• Alabama will start at its own 25 with 8:46 on the clock after a touchback.
• Sedrick Alexander powers up the middle for a 7-yard touchdown. Vanderbilt made that look easy on the opening possession. 10 plays, 75 yards, 6:15 off the clock. Vanderbilt 7, Alabama 0- 8:46 1Q
• Diego Pavia escapes Alabama pressure and finds Eli Stowers for a first down to the Alabama 16.
• The next play is a quick pass over the middle for a first down to Quincy Skinner Jr. Vanderbilt now has the ball at the Alabama 33.
• On third-and-5 from the 40, Vanderbilt attempts its first pass of the game and completes a screen on the outside for a first down into Alabama territory.
• Vanderbilt rushes for a short gain on first down. On second down, the Commodores rush around the outside for a first down.
• Conor Talty kicks it through the end zone, and this game is underway. Vanderbilt will start with the ball at the 25.

Pregame

• Alabama wins the toss and defers. Vanderbilt will start with the ball.

• Outside of the one sliver of the Vanderbilt student section, almost the entire east sideline stands are filled with Alabama fans.

• With this being the first road SEC game, it is the first time Alabama has had to implement the 74-man travel roster. Theses are the scholarship players who were not spotted in warmups defensive lineman Keon Keeley, Isaia Faga and Jeremiah Beaman, outside linebackers Noah Carter and Jayshawn Ross, offensive linemen Naquil Betrand, Casey Poe and William Sanders. Linebacker QB Reese, wide receiver Bubba Hampton and tight end. Jay Lindsey. Kendrick Law and Jalen Hale, who are both out with injuries, are also not present.

As always, Alabama is wearing the white uniforms with crimson helmets for the road matchup. Vanderbilt is wearing all black from head to toe.

Jefferson is in uniform and participating in pregame warmups.

Alabama's specialists have taken the field for pregame warmups about an hour before kickoff time.

In the official availability report, Alabama wide receiver Kendrick Law is ruled OUT. Linebacker Justin Jefferson is a game-time decision.

Walking around outside the stadium before the game, I probably saw 10 Alabama fans for every one Vanderbilt fan.

How to Watch: No. 1 Alabama at Vanderbilt

Who: Alabama (4-0, 1-0 SEC) at Vanderbilt (2-2, 0-1 SEC)

When: Saturday, Oct. 5, 3:15 p.m. CT

Where: FirstBank Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

TV: SEC Network

Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network (Play-By-Play: Chris Stewart, Color: Tyler Watts). The pregame show will begin one hour prior to kickoff.

SiriusXM: 192

Series: Alabama leads 63-18-4

Last meeting: Bryce Young threw for 385 yards and four touchdowns as the Crimson Tide rolled over the Commodores, 55-3, on Sept. 24, 2022.

Last time out, Alabama: Jalen Milroe connected with Ryan Williams for the game-winning touchdown in the final minutes to put the Crimson Tide ahead of Georgia 41-34 to pick up Kalen DeBoer's first SEC win. Alabama jumped out to a 28-0 lead on the Bulldogs in the first half, but Georgia fought back to take the lead with 2:31 to go. Willams' touchdown put Alabama ahead, and fellow freshman Zabien Brown had the game-sealing interception.

Last time out, Vanderbilt: The Commodores lost a heartbreaker to Missouri on the road in overtime. Vanderbilt missed a potential game-winning field goal in the fourth quarter to send the game to overtime. After Missouri scored a field goal on its opening possession to go up, 30-27, and the Commodores missed their attempt on the next possession to drop their SEC opener.