KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — After 15 years of being a rival to Alabama in name only, Tennessee snapped a humbling losing streak, stamped itself a championship contender and celebrated in spectacular fashion.
Chase McGrath made a 40-yard field goal as time expired to give No. 6 Tennessee a 52-49 victory over No. 3 Alabama on Saturday.
As soon as the kick knuckle-balled through the uprights, some of the more than 100,000 fans stormed the field to join the party as the Volunteers (6-0, 3-0 Southeastern Conference) ended a 15-game losing streak to the Crimson Tide (6-1, 3-1).
Fireworks went off over Neyland Stadium and it glowed orange as the song “Dixieland Delight” by the band Alabama — a Crimson Tide favorite — blared over the stadium speakers.
And it didn’t take long for the goal posts to go down.
“This is college football at its absolute best,” Vols coach Josh Heupel said. “We were the best team on the field tonight. That’s all we can control.”
“We didn’t answer the bell today,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “We did too many things to help (Tennessee).”
Hendon Hooker drove the Vols 45 yards in 19 seconds to set up the winner. An 18-yard pass to Ramel Keyton and 27-yard hookup with Bru McCoy set the stage for the winner.
“It wasn’t my cleanest hit,” said McGrath, who missed a PAT earlier. “I didn’t have the best contact on the ball.”
Jalin Hyatt caught six passes for 207 yards and a Tennessee-record five touchdowns.
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, a game-time decision because of a sprained right shoulder two weeks ago, completed 35 passes for 455 yards and two TDs.
“It was great to be out there with my teammates,” Young said. “(My) shoulder is fine.”
Hyatt’s fifth TD catch tied it at 49 with 3:26 left in the fourth.
“(This game) just happened,” Hyatt said. “It’s not just me. It was just the looks we got.”
Young drove the Tide into the Tennessee territory in the final minute, but Alabama stalled at the 33 with three straight incomplete passes. Will Reichard’s 50-yard field goal attempt for the lead was wide way right.
With only 21 seconds left, overtime seemed likely, but Hooker wasn’t done and did the Heisman Trophy winner one better.
Hooker finished with 21 completions for 385 yards and five TDs.
“(Hooker) played at an unbelievable level,” Heupel said. “He’s the key to our ignition.”
“We approach every game the same,” Hooker said. “Play 100% for our brothers.”
Tennessee had not beaten a Top 10 teams since 2006 against Georgia. That was also the last year the Vols beat Alabama.
A season later, Nick Saban became Alabama’s coach. As the Tide has become college football’s greatest dynasty with six national titles, Tennessee has burned through coaches and been mired mediocrity.
In his second season in Knoxville, Heupel has Tennessee looking like a legitimate national title contender behind a transfer quarterback from Virginia Tech who is in the Heisman picture.
A week after Alabama held Texas A&M out of the end zone on the last play of the game to dodge an upset, the Tide went down. The Vols scored the most points against an Alabama team since Sewanee put 54 on the Tide in 2007.
The Tide also had 17 penalties for 130 yards, the most during the Saban era, according to ESPN.
Tennessee’s up-tempo offense jumped out to a 21-7 first-quarter lead and led 28-20 at halftime. All four touchdown drives took over two minutes.
Young threw for 205 yards and a touchdown in the first half, while Hooker had 166 yards and two scores. Young wasn’t sacked, but was knocked down five times in the half.
Alabama fumbled Tennessee’s only punt. The Vols recovered and scored four plays later.
THE TAKEAWAY
Alabama: Alabama didn’t have an answer for a Tennessee team that just wouldn’t give up. A late 49-42 lead slipped away.
Tennessee: This was a big jump forward for the program that Josh Heupel is building. Playing in a midseason game that has playoff implications is the first step toward getting a taste of the ultimate success.
NOT AVAILABLE
Two key Tennessee players weren’t available. WR Cedric Tillman, who sustained a high ankle sprain against Akron, didn’t play despite having surgery to speed up the recovery process three weeks ago. This was his third missed game … S Jaylen McCollough, a four-year starter, was arrested for aggravated assault last weekend. He had played in all 41 games since his freshman year with 32 starts.
BY THE NUMBERS
Hooker has thrown a touchdown pass in 18 consecutive games, tying Heath Shuler’s school record (1992-94). … In one possession in its own territory, Alabama had holding, motion and delay penalties and a fumbled snap that Bryce Young recovered. The Vols got the ball on the Tide 35 and scored four plays later. … Hooker’s third-quarter interception was his first in 260 passes.
OLD SCHOOL
Tennessee had the ball on the Alabama 2. Breaking from the norm, Hooker went under center rather than the shotgun as the Vols were lined up in the I-formation. Fullback Princeton Fant, a tight end who was recruited as a running back, had his first carry since 2018 and scored.
UP NEXT
Alabama: Hosts Mississippi State next Saturday.
Tennessee: Hosts Tennessee-Martin next Saturday.
