Vanderbilt takes down No. 1 Alabama 40-35 in a historic college football victory, marking a significant milestone for the Commodores. Sedrick Alexander shone brightly with two rushing touchdowns, while Randon Fontenette delivered a game-changing pick-six. Diego Pavia showcased his skills, outshining Heisman Trophy candidate Jalen Milroe in a thrilling showdown that left fans in disbelief.
With this win, Vanderbilt (3-2, 1-1) broke a 60-game losing streak against AP Top Five teams, as reported by SportRadar. The Commodores had not defeated Alabama on the field in four decades, but they ended a 23-game losing streak to the Crimson Tide, delivering coach Clark Lea the most significant victory in his alma mater’s history.
The Commodores started strong, scoring the first 13 points and building a 16-point lead—their largest ever against the nation’s top-ranked team. Only a touchdown from Jam Miller just before halftime narrowed the gap to 23-14.
Alexander initiated the scoring with a 7-yard touchdown run, putting Vanderbilt ahead for good. This marked the first time since 2007 that the Commodores opened a game against Alabama with a touchdown—coincidentally, during Nick Saban’s second game as head coach.
However, Alabama (4-1, 1-1) contributed to Vanderbilt’s success through a series of errors, including penalties and sloppy play that allowed the Commodores to maintain their lead.
The Tide managed to close the score to 30-28 with a touchdown run from Milroe. Yet, Vanderbilt responded decisively, scoring 10 points, with 13 of their total points stemming from Milroe’s two turnovers, including a crucial strip-sack by Miles Capers, recovered by Yilanan Ouattara at midfield.
Pavia completed a drive with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Alabama native Kamrean Johnson, extending the lead to 40-28 with just over five minutes remaining. Milroe attempted to mount a comeback, with Ryan Williams scoring on an end-around play on fourth-and-1 from the 2-yard line with 2:46 left on the clock.
As the clock wound down, Vanderbilt fans and players erupted in celebration, while Pavia knelt to run out the remaining time, sealing a monumental victory for the Commodores.
