Vanderbilt upsets Alabama for first win vs. No. 1 team

 Vanderbilt upsets Alabama for first win vs. No. 1 team

Vanderbilt upsets Alabama for first win vs. No. 1 team

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt Commodores fans stormed the field, celebrating by tearing down a goalpost, carrying it through the streets, and tossing it into the Cumberland River after their historic win over No. 1 Alabama.

Sedrick Alexander scored two rushing touchdowns, Randon Fontenette returned an interception for a touchdown, and quarterback Diego Pavia outplayed Alabama's Heisman Trophy contender Jalen Milroe, leading Vanderbilt to a stunning 40-35 victory. This marked Vanderbilt's first win over a top-ranked team.



Before Saturday, Vanderbilt (3-2, 1-1 SEC) had been 0-60 all-time against AP top-five teams, the longest such streak in poll history. It was their first on-field win against Alabama in 40 years, breaking a 23-game losing streak. Commodores head coach Clark Lea, an alum, called it Vanderbilt football's biggest win ever. “This is the dream,” Lea said, noting that the team has more goals ahead.


Alabama had just claimed the top spot in the AP Top 25 after a dramatic win over Georgia and entered as 22.5-point favorites, the first time a No. 1 team lost as such a large favorite since USC fell to Oregon State in 2008.


Vanderbilt set the tone early, with Alexander scoring on a 7-yard run to open the game. This marked the first time since 2007 that Vandy opened with a touchdown against Alabama, which was Nick Saban’s second season as head coach.


Despite Alabama's comeback efforts, including a 58-yard touchdown pass from Milroe to Ryan Williams, the Tide's mistakes proved costly. Milroe committed two turnovers that led to 13 Vanderbilt points. A strip sack by Miles Capers, recovered by Yilanan Ouattara, set up a 6-yard TD pass from Pavia to Alabama native Kamrean Johnson, giving Vandy a 40-28 lead.


Alabama (4-1, 1-1 SEC) fought back, with Williams scoring on a 2-yard end-around, but Vanderbilt's ball control — holding possession for over 42 minutes — sealed the victory. Pavia knelt to run out the clock as fans celebrated.


Pavia called the win life-changing, while Alabama linebacker Deontae Lawson expressed the team's determination to bounce back. Despite outgaining Vanderbilt 312-252 in total yards, Alabama’s struggles on third downs and penalties proved decisive.