The streets of Knoxville, Tennessee, were ecstatic Saturday night after the Volunteers defeated Alabama for the first time in 15 years.
In what has so far been the game of the year for the 2022 college football season, sixth-ranked Tennessee beat #3 Alabama 52-49 on a last second field goal. Moments after the wobbling kick somehow made it through the uprights, a mass of crazed Tennessee fans stormed the field, tearing down the goal posts and carrying them out of Neyland Stadium.
WATCH:
Down goes the goalposts. Not an ounce of alcohol is gonna be left in Knoxville tomorrow morning. pic.twitter.com/SKQMIenwp1
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) October 15, 2022
The goal posts eventually made their way to the streets as the crowd carried them through Knoxville, screaming their excitement.
The goal post is officially on the strip 😂
— PointsBet Sportsbook (@PointsBetUSA) October 16, 2022
The win marked the first for the Vols against rival Alabama since the 2006 season, a year before legendary head coach Nick Saban even took over on the Crimson Tide’s sideline. Tennessee dominated the first half with their explosive offense behind the arm of quarterback Hendon Hooker and the hands of receiver Jalin Hyatt, who connected on a record-breaking five touchdown passes for the game.
After making brutal mistakes and going down 28-10 in the first half, Alabama crawled their way back into the game and eventually took the lead in what became a back-and-forth shootout during the final quarters. Saban’s Crimson Tide had an opportunity to seal the win late after quarterback Bryce Young drove his team down the field in the final minutes, but Tennessee forced Alabama to attempt a 50-yard field goal that was missed wide right.
With 19 seconds remaining, the Vols completed two long passes for 45 yards on consecutive plays to give their kicker Chase McGrath a chance to be the hero on a 40-yard kick. McGrath, behind the prayers of thousands in Knoxville, kicked a knuckleball that squeaked just above the goal post, initiating the party in Tennessee.
“This is college football at its absolute best,” Vols coach Josh Heupel said, according to ESPN. “We were the best team on the field tonight. That’s all we can control.”