Vanderbilt stuns Alabama to secure the biggest win in program history

CNN
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A week after Alabama clinched the No. 1 spot in the rankings by defeating its longtime rival, the Georgia Bulldogs, the Crimson Tide were defeated by Vanderbilt 40-35 on Saturday in Nashville.

Although the Commodores have never beaten a top-five team in their program history, they didn't fall short against Alabama.

Vanderbilt took a 13-0 lead in the first quarter and was able to withstand pressure from the potent Alabama offense, led by quarterback and Heisman hopeful Jalen Milroe and 17-year-old freshman phenom wide receiver Ryan Williams.

Just after halftime, Milroe scored a 14-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 23-21. But Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia answered the bell by throwing a touchdown of his own to extend Vandy's lead.

On Alabama's next possession, Milroe threw a 58-yard pass to Williams, who made an acrobatic catch and stayed downfield to take the lead again and make the game 30-28.

Vanderbilt then answered again by kicking a field goal and adding another Pavia touchdown to extend the lead to 40-28.

The Crimson Tide had their backs against the wall as the clock ticked down to just under five minutes left in the game and they needed a touchdown to stay in the game. Alabama drove down the field and reached the end zone after a two-yard touchdown from Williams.

The Vanderbilt offense didn't shy away as time ran out and they secured the win as fans stormed the field at FirstBank Stadium.

Before Saturday's game, Vanderbilt was 0-60 all-time against its top five opponents, the most losses without a win in NCAA history.

Pavia finished the game with 252 yards passing, two touchdowns and 57 yards rushing. Vanderbilt running back Sedrick Alexander added two touchdowns.

Commodores head coach Clark Lea told the SEC Network that it took everything the team needed to beat Alabama.

“This is a really good football team,” Lea said. “This is the dream right here and for the next 12 hours I'm going to enjoy it. We still have more to come, but that’s what Vanderbilt football has to be about. Big victories on big stages. We’ll get more.”

Vanderbilt ends a 23-game losing streak against Alabama and picks up its first win against the Crimson Tide since 1984.

Vanderbilt improves to 3-2 on the season while Alabama falls to 4-1.

Vanderbilt will play Kentucky on the road next week. Alabama will host South Carolina.