Tennessee supporters erupted as Chase McGrath hit a shaky field goal in the waning seconds to lift the Volunteers past Nick Saban and No. 3 Alabama.
The 52-49 win is Tennessee’s first over Alabama since 2006, and on the way to victory, Saban’s team made costly blunders that resulted in the most penalties in school history.
According to reports, the 52 points allowed are the highest in a game since 1907, when Sewanee was held to 54 points.
Over 100,000 spectators poured onto the field in orange to celebrate the end of the 15-game run.
It didn’t take long for the goalposts to vanish as spectators pushed their way up the steps and out the door.
With more than three minutes remaining, the game was knotted 49-49, and it appeared that Alabama would run away with it. However, with 15 seconds remaining, kicker Will Reichard missed a key field goal, putting it wide right. With the ball, Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker led the drive down the field, completing 18-yard and 27-yard passes to put the Vols in field goal range as the clock ran out.
Hooker finished the night 21-for-30 for 385 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception. Similarly, Alabama quarterback Bryce Young completed 35 out of 52 passes for 455 yards and two touchdowns.
This game will be remembered as the second most total points scored in an AP Top 6 game—101 points.