Sixteen years of pent up frustration finally erupted in Neyland Stadium on Saturday, as Tennessee and its fans got the result they have been waiting for since Nick Saban arrived in Alabama in 2007.
The sixth-ranked Volunteers finally beat No. 3 Alabama, 52-49, breaking a historic 15-game losing streak to the Crimson Tide in the process. Hendon Hooker and Jalin Hyatt were the heroes of the game, connecting six times for 207 yards and five touchdowns. Hooker completed 21 of 30 passes for 385 yards, five scores and an interception.
But it was Chase McGrath’s 40-yard field goal attempt that ultimately elevated Tennessee over Alabama:
TENNESSEE TAKES DOWN ALABAMA AND THE FANS ARE STORMING THE FIELD AT NEYLAND STADIUM.
WHAT A WIN FOR THE VOLS. pic.twitter.com/1MkxrkyxBA
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) October 15, 2022
MORE: Hendon Hooker leads last-second win over Alabama
Speaking of goal posts, Tennessee fans were so excited by the victory — understandably — that they stormed the field and tore down the goal posts that helped seal the victory.
They then paraded it outside the stadium, toward the Knoxville strip:
AND DOWN COME THE GOAL POSTS. pic.twitter.com/rvqD95itt9
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) October 15, 2022
They’re taking the goal post out of the stadium 😅 pic.twitter.com/uIn8SdFz7t
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 16, 2022
UPDATE: The uprights are on their way out of the stadium. pic.twitter.com/VsjSkWnAag
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) October 15, 2022
The goalposts have exited Neyland pic.twitter.com/aBzqlMu8XZ
— Josh Pate (@LateKickJosh) October 16, 2022
THE GOAL POST IS ON THE STRIP
pic.twitter.com/mGeF92sTu8— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 16, 2022
They broke the field goal post stand pic.twitter.com/fdr8foIEAn
— Alex Scarborough (@AlexS_ESPN) October 16, 2022
MORE: Tennessee-Alabama by the numbers | What Bama’s loss means
That will beyond a doubt result in a hefty fine from the SEC. But no one wearing orange will care.
All told, a fine and the cost to replace a measly goal post is a pretty good price to finally clear the Alabama hurdle in the most spectacular way possible. Or should we say crossbar?
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