CFB World Goes Wild As Tennessee Beats Nick Saban, Alabama
It was pure pandemonium in Knoxville on Saturday as No. 6 Tennessee took down No. 3 Alabama, 52-49, in a game for the ages inside Neyland Stadium.
The back-and-forth affair kicked into high gear in the second half with Tennessee up 28-20 after the Crimson Tide scored 10 unanswered points to cut the Vols lead going into halftime. The bitter SEC rivals combined for five touchdowns across the first eight drives of the half to even things at 42-all until the Tide took the lead following an 11-yard fumble return TD with less than eight minutes to play.
Tennessee would respond quickly with an 11-play, 75-yard scoring drive capped by an 11-yard haul from junior receiver Jalin Hyatt to add his superb six-catch, 207-yard, five-TD performance. In the end, the instant classic came down to a field goal attempt from both teams as Tide kicker Will Reichard hooked a 50-yarder wide right, before Chase McGrath joined Vols lore by converting a wobbly 40-yard attempt on the ensuring possession to win it in the closing seconds.
As the college football world settled down from the incredible contest, reactions poured in on social media from fans stunned by Tennessee’s first win over Nick Saban and Alabama since 2006. Needless to say, there’s going to be plenty of good times and cigar lightin’ going on in Rocky Top for the foreseeable future:
That was just such a spectacular shot. pic.twitter.com/6eCe16Lufd
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) October 15, 2022
I tell you what
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) October 15, 2022
IT IS
GREAT
TO BE
A
TENNESSEE VOL
THE VOLS DID IT❗ @Vol_Football pic.twitter.com/MTE1kQaJnm
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) October 15, 2022
That’s as good a scene as you will see in sports. So much baked into that reaction in Knoxville. They’ve been waiting on the day…and it arrived.
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) October 15, 2022
Spectacular football game.
ALABAMA really gave up five receiving touchdowns TO THE SAME GUY
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) October 15, 2022
I can’t overstate how great it is for college football that Tennessee just beat Alabama. The sport has some actual parity and intrigue at the top. It’s been one of the most fun regular seasons I can remember. Between that and playoff expansion in the future? Good times for CFB.
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) October 15, 2022
What an absolute pleasure it was to watch that Alabama-Tennessee game. Tennessee should be ranked no. 1 in the polls tomorrow.
— Chris Bonanno (@FTChrisBonanno) October 15, 2022
Dixie land delight plays on the speakers and cigar smoke fills the air as Vols fans flood the field.
— Kari Osep (@KariOsep) October 15, 2022
Tennessee 52, Alabama 49 pic.twitter.com/vo1ovI98Kd
WHAT. A. DAMN. GAME.
— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) October 15, 2022
And, boy, is it fun to see Tennessee relevant again. Wow.
Hell of a game. Congrats to Tennessee! That scene in Knoxville is gonna be amazing tonight.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) October 15, 2022
Seismic! Tennessee beats Bama. What an incredible game it was, down to the last 2 seconds! Feeling the aftershocks all the way in Nashville tonight. #VolsWin
— Cody Alan (@CodyAlan) October 15, 2022
Ugliest made FG I think I've ever seen. But at Tennessee, it's the most beautiful ever.
— Scott Rabalais (@RabalaisAdv) October 15, 2022
15 years of frustration against Bama. Done. https://t.co/3kLB5gpjVq
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