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Vanderbilt fans supported the Predators' Andrew Brunette in the goalpost march

Following Vanderbilt's surprising 40-35 win over No. 1 Alabama Saturday night, two Nashville sports teams met briefly on Broadway.

As hundreds of Vanderbilt students carried the goalposts from First Bank Stadium toward the Cumberland River, Nashville Predators coach Andrew Brunette said he briefly participated in the march.

“I actually touched it,” Brunette said. “It came right down Broadway, right in front of the Apple Store.”

ORDER NOW: How to order a commemorative copy of Vanderbilt football's win over No. 1 Alabama

After the Predators played their final preseason home game at Bridgestone Arena, the team held a postgame event across the street near 6th Avenue. Due to the earlier 4 p.m. start, the Predators finished their game right as the goalposts came down Broadway toward the Cumberland River.

At one point, he said, the students dropped part of the goal post on a car and he immediately jumped into action.

“The kids dropped it on a car, so I helped them pick it up,” Brunette said. “That was pretty cool, I got at least a little piece of it.”

Brunette said the car was damaged, but the chaos was difficult to assess.

The damage was “not too bad,” he said. “I would have thought it would be worse.”

Vanderbilt's victory over Alabama shocked the college football world. Not only was it Vanderbilt's first win over Alabama since 1984, it is also one of the biggest upsets in recent college football history and the first win over a No. 1 ranked AP football team in school history.

BIG WIN: Why Vanderbilt Football's win over Alabama is the biggest in program history, more overreactions

“I’m just so happy for Clark Lea and his group,” Brunette said. “Just an incredible win.”

Brunette added that it was inspiring for the city of Nashville and gave him hope that the Predators would follow suit.

“Obviously I wasn't at the game,” he said, “but when you're in town and you see (the goalposts) coming down Broadway… it makes you want to do something special here on our side.”

The Predators' final preseason game on Monday night in Tampa, Florida, against the Lightning, was canceled due to Hurricane Milton. The Predators open the regular season on October 10th at home against the Dallas Stars.

Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at [email protected]. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1

By Vanessa

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