Vanderbilt football made headlines on Saturday as they achieved a stunning 40-35 victory over Alabama, marking their first win against an AP No. 1 opponent in the school’s history. This win also saw Vanderbilt scoring their first touchdown against Alabama since 2007 and surpassing their cumulative points against the Crimson Tide during Nick Saban’s coaching era.
The atmosphere at FirstBank Stadium was electric, even with a predominantly Alabama-supporting crowd. Chants of “V-U” echoed as Vanderbilt ran down the clock to seal their historic win.
One of the key moments in the game was a pick-6 that contributed to Vanderbilt’s total points, alongside three penalties against Alabama that granted Vanderbilt additional first downs on a drive. Heading into halftime, Vanderbilt led 23-14 after controlling the ball for over 21 minutes.
Brock Taylor notably set a school record with his third field goal of over 50 yards this season.
Alabama, ranked No. 2 in the coaches’ poll and coming off a thrilling victory against Georgia, faced a well-rested Vanderbilt team following their previous week off. Vanderbilt is now 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the SEC.
Throughout the game, Vanderbilt demonstrated tenacity and skill, with significant plays that shifted momentum in their favor, including:
– A 2-yard touchdown run by Ryan Williams on a critical 4th-and-1, bringing the score to 40-28.
– A touchdown pass from Diego Pavia to Kamrean Johnson, increasing their lead after a defensive play led to favorable field position.
– Multiple touchdowns by Ryan Williams and Junior Sherrill, contributing to a nail-biting finish.
Vanderbilt’s offensive strategy paid off, with plays that capitalized on Alabama’s mistakes and strong offensive performances.
As Vanderbilt looks ahead to their next matchup against Kentucky on October 12, they have demonstrated their potential to compete against top-tier teams, showcasing a new level of confidence and skill.