NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Sedrick Alexander ran for two touchdowns, Randon Fontenette scored on a Pick-6 and Diego Pavia outplayed Heisman Trophy candidate Jalen Milroe as Vanderbilt stunned Alabama 40-35 Saturday for the Commodores’ first win over the nation’s top-ranked team.
Vanderbilt (3-2, 1-1) was 0-60 all-time vs. AP Top-5 teams before Saturday, the longest such streak in the Poll Era (since 1936). The Commodores hadn’t beaten Alabama on the field in 40 years, but they snapped a 23-game skid by making big play after big play to give coach Clark Lea his alma mater’s biggest win ever.
The Commodores scored the first 13 points and took a 16-point lead that was their largest ever over the No. 1 team in the country. Alabama running back Jam Miller ran for his second TD just before halftime to trim that lead to 23-14.
Alabama had just moved to the top of The Associated Press’ Top 25 after an emotional win over Georgia. They opened as a 22.5-point favorite over Vanderbilt at ESPN BET; it’s the first time an AP No. 1 team lost as at least a three-touchdown favorite since 2008, when USC lost to Oregon State as a 25-point favorite.
The Tide won the opening toss and deferred. Alexander capped the opening drive with a 7-yard TD to put Vandy ahead to stay. It marked the first time since 2007 that Vandy had opened a game against Alabama with a TD — Nick Saban’s second game as coach. Alabama rallied and won that day 24-10.
This time, the Tide (4-1, 1-1) helped Vanderbilt pad that lead with too many mistakes, sloppy play and penalties. Read the full story from ESPN.com
Tagged:
Sports
