By : Sabri Haidar
(Photo/Sabri Haidar-The Mojo Network)
The streets of Nashville turned into a celebration zone Saturday night, as jubilant Vanderbilt fans flooded onto the field after witnessing one of the biggest upsets in college football history. The Commodores had just shocked top-ranked Alabama, 40-35, and the ecstatic crowd couldn’t contain their excitement. A goalpost was torn down, carried triumphantly through the streets, and tossed into the Cumberland River, marking the historic victory in true Vanderbilt fashion.
It was a night to remember for Commodores fans and a program that had been searching for a breakthrough win on the national stage. Sedrick Alexander led the way with two rushing touchdowns, Randon Fontenette turned the tide with a pick-six, and Diego Pavia outdueled Heisman Trophy contender Jalen Milroe, sealing Vanderbilt’s first-ever win over a No. 1 team.
Coming into the game, Vanderbilt (3-2, 1-1 SEC) was 0-60 all-time against AP top-five teams — the longest such drought since the poll began in 1936. Even more striking, the Commodores hadn’t beaten Alabama in 40 years and had lost 23 consecutive games to the Crimson Tide. But on this night, they made big play after big play, giving head coach Clark Lea the signature win of his tenure at his alma mater.
“This is the dream right here,” Lea said, soaking in the moment. “For the next 12 hours, I’m going to enjoy the dream. This is what Vanderbilt football should be about: big wins on big stages. And there are more of these ahead.”
The game began with Vanderbilt striking first, as Alexander capped a methodical opening drive with a 7-yard touchdown run. It was the first time since 2007 that Vanderbilt had opened a game against Alabama with a touchdown. The Commodores continued to build momentum, capitalizing on Alabama’s mistakes and penalties to pad their lead.
Despite the Crimson Tide (4-1, 1-1 SEC) making a push, including a 58-yard touchdown pass from Milroe to Ryan Williams that cut the deficit to 30-28, Vanderbilt responded. Pavia threw a 6-yard touchdown to Alabama native Kamrean Johnson, pushing the lead to 40-28 with just over five minutes left.
Alabama, fresh off an emotional win over Georgia, had entered the game as 22.5-point favorites. It was the first time since 2008 that a No. 1 team lost as a three-touchdown favorite, the last instance being USC’s stunning defeat to Oregon State. Milroe and Alabama tried to rally late, with Williams scoring on a fourth-and-1 end-around to make it 40-35. But Vanderbilt held firm, running out the clock as Pavia kneeled, igniting wild celebrations.
“Games like this change your life,” Pavia said, reflecting on the monumental win.
The Commodores' defense was relentless, holding the ball for more than 42 minutes and converting 12-of-18 third-down attempts. Randon Fontenette’s pick-six early in the first quarter set the tone, giving Vanderbilt a 13-0 lead that sent shockwaves through the stadium. De'Rickey Wright, a former Alabama commit, tipped the pass that led to the interception, underscoring how key moments went Vanderbilt’s way throughout the night.
Milroe’s turnovers, including a crucial strip sack by Miles Capers recovered by Yilanan Ouattara at midfield, helped the Commodores pull away. Vanderbilt converted Alabama’s mistakes into 13 points, showing the kind of opportunistic football that had been missing in previous matchups against elite teams.
For Alabama, it was a bitter loss. First-year head coach Kalen DeBoer emphasized the need for resilience moving forward.
“We’ve been tested in different ways this season, but this is a different kind of test,” DeBoer said. “We’re going to find out how much we care about each other and what our response will look like.”
The night belonged to Vanderbilt. The Commodores’ faithful carried their celebration out of the stadium and into the heart of Nashville, tossing the goalpost into the Cumberland River — a symbol of triumph after decades of frustration.
It was more than just a victory; it was a statement. For the first time in 40 years, Vanderbilt had beaten Alabama, and for the first time ever, they had toppled a No. 1 team. As the echoes of the cheers lingered in the cool Tennessee air, one thing was clear: Vanderbilt football had arrived.