Vols' McGrath, Hyatt's record day shocks No. 3 Alabama

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AP
AP

Photo: Tennessee Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — – Just after 15 a long time of becoming a rival to Alabama in title only, Tennessee snapped a humbling losing streak, stamped by itself a championship contender and celebrated in magnificent manner.

Chase McGrath built a 40-yard discipline objective as time expired to give No. 6 Tennessee a 52-49 victory about No. 3 Alabama on Saturday.

As soon as the kick knuckle-balled by the uprights, some of the much more than 100,000 enthusiasts stormed the subject to join the bash as the Volunteers (6-, 3- Southeastern Conference) finished a 15-video game shedding streak to the Crimson Tide (6-1, 3-1).

Fireworks went off above Neyland Stadium and it glowed orange as the song “Dixieland Delight” by the band Alabama – a Crimson Tide favorite – blared more than the stadium speakers.

And it did not take prolonged for the aim posts to go down.

“This is college or university football at its absolute ideal,” Vols mentor Josh Heupel reported. “We were the best group on the field tonight. That is all we can handle.”

“We failed to response the bell nowadays,” Alabama coach Nick Saban reported. “We did also many points to support (Tennessee).”

Hendon Hooker drove the Vols 45 yards in 19 seconds to established up the winner. An 18-yard pass to Ramel Keyton and 27-garden hookup with Bru McCoy established the phase for the winner.

“It wasn’t my cleanest strike,” mentioned McGrath, who missed a PAT previously. “I did not have the finest make contact with on the ball.”

Jalin Hyatt caught 6 passes for 207 yards and a Tennessee-history 5 touchdowns.

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, a sport-time selection because of a sprained appropriate shoulder two weeks in the past, concluded 35 passes for 455 yards and two TDs.

“It was terrific to be out there with my teammates,” Younger mentioned. “(My) shoulder is fine.”

Hyatt’s fifth TD catch tied it at 49 with 3:26 left in the fourth.

“(This recreation) just transpired,” Hyatt said. “It is really not just me. It was just the appears to be we obtained.”

Young drove the Tide into the Tennessee territory in the ultimate minute, but Alabama stalled at the 33 with a few straight incomplete passes. Will Reichard’s 50-garden field objective endeavor for the lead was large way appropriate.

With only 21 seconds left, overtime seemed probably, but Hooker wasn’t done and did the Heisman Trophy winner just one superior.

Hooker concluded with 21 completions for 385 yards and five TDs.

“(Hooker) played at an unbelievable stage,” Heupel explained. “He is the essential to our ignition.”

“We approach each and every recreation the same,” Hooker reported. “Engage in 100% for our brothers.”

Tennessee had not beaten a Top 10 teams given that 2006 in opposition to Georgia. That was also the last yr the Vols beat Alabama.

A year afterwards, Nick Saban became Alabama’s coach. As the Tide has come to be college football’s best dynasty with six nationwide titles, Tennessee has burned as a result of coaches and been mired mediocrity.

In his second season in Knoxville, Heupel has Tennessee looking like a legitimate countrywide title contender at the rear of a transfer quarterback from Virginia Tech who is in the Heisman image.

A 7 days immediately after Alabama held Texas A&M out of the close zone on the previous engage in of the match to dodge an upset, the Tide went down. The Vols scored the most details towards an Alabama workforce due to the fact Sewanee set 54 on the Tide in 2007.

The Tide also had 17 penalties for 130 yards, the most in the course of the Saban period, in accordance to ESPN.

Tennessee’s up-tempo offense jumped out to a 21-7 initially-quarter lead and led 28-20 at halftime. All 4 touchdown drives took about two minutes.

Youthful threw for 205 yards and a touchdown in the very first 50 percent, when Hooker experienced 166 yards and two scores. Younger was not sacked, but was knocked down five moments in the half.

Alabama fumbled Tennessee’s only punt. The Vols recovered and scored four plays later.

THE TAKEAWAY

Alabama: Alabama did not have an reply for a Tennessee group that just would not give up. A late 49-42 direct slipped absent.

Tennessee: This was a significant bounce ahead for the application that Josh Heupel is developing. Participating in in a midseason sport that has playoff implications is the initial move toward having a taste of the ultimate accomplishment.

NOT Available

Two important Tennessee gamers weren’t available. WR Cedric Tillman, who sustained a large ankle sprain versus Akron, did not engage in in spite of getting surgical procedure to velocity up the recovery course of action three months back. This was his third missed sport.

BY THE Quantities

Hooker has thrown a touchdown move in 18 consecutive video games, tying Heath Shuler’s school report (1992-94). … In 1 possession in its possess territory, Alabama had keeping, movement and hold off penalties and a fumbled snap that Bryce Youthful recovered. The Vols bought the ball on the Tide 35 and scored four plays later on. … Hooker’s third-quarter interception was his 1st in 260 passes.

Outdated Faculty

Tennessee had the ball on the Alabama 2. Breaking from the norm, Hooker went beneath centre rather than the shotgun as the Vols were lined up in the I-formation. Fullback Princeton Fant, a limited conclusion who was recruited as a working again, experienced his 1st carry considering the fact that 2018 and scored.

UP Next

Alabama: Hosts Mississippi Point out next Saturday.

Tennessee: Hosts Tennessee-Martin following Saturday.