#6 ranked Tennessee takes down #3 Alabama in an Instant Classic
October 23, 2022
The #3 ranked, 6-0 Alabama Crimson Tide went on the road to Knoxville on Saturday to play the #6 ranked, 6-0 Tennessee Volunteers in a battle of the undefeateds. Alabama QB Bryce Young returned after being out last week with a shoulder injury against Arkansas. Leading up to the game, it had been 15 years since Tennessee had beaten Alabama and Josh Heupel, Tennessee’s Coach, knew it would not be easy to end the streak. Tennessee started the game with a bang as wide receiver Jalin Hyatt scored 2 1st quarter touchdowns for the Vols. With 11 minutes left in the 2nd Quarter, the score was 28-10 in favor of the Vols, but as everyone in college football knows, you can’t get rid of Alabama that easily. After a Ja’Corey Brooks Touchdown and a 43 yard field goal Tennessee still led, but only 28-20.
To start the second half, Jahmyr Gibbs had a 26 yard touchdown run in which Bama converted a 2 point conversion to tie the game up at 28! However, Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker answered with a 61 yard touchdown bomb to Jalin Hyatt! As exciting as the play was, it was counterbalanced by The Vols missing the extra point, which made it a 34-28 lead with 10 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. The Crimson Tide later drove down the field and running back Jahmyr Gibbs scored to take back the 35-34 lead in the 3rd. But once again, Hendon Hooker found Jalin Hyatt – this time being a 78 yard touchdown to start the fourth quarter! Tennessee then converted on the 2 point conversion to take the 42-35 lead. In Alabama fashion, the Crimson Tide went 75 yards in 10 plays to tie the game at 42 with 8 minutes left in the game. On the next drive Tennessee fumbled the ball and it was picked up for a scoop and score that gave Alabama 49-42 lead with just 7:49 remaining the game. The Vols then drove all the way down the field and once again, Hendon Hooker found Jalin Hyatt who scored his 5th touchdown of the game, this one to tie it up!
With a chance to take the lead once more, Alabama missed a 43 yard game winning field goal that gave the Vols good field positioning. After a quick couple of plays, Tennessee got into field goal range with just 2 seconds remaining. Now, the game was in the hands, and foot of Tennessee kicker Chase Mcgrath. The Senior Chase McGrath would then make a 43 yard kick, and just like that – #3 Alabama is knocked off by #6 Tennessee.
Although the game ended in climatic fashion, the madness had only just begun as seemingly all Tennessee fans stormed onto the field, even removing the goal posts before fans took them out of the stadium. The goal posts were later found in a nearby river. These fan actions cost Tennessee a 100k fine, but in the grand scheme of things, it seems as if it was definitely worth it.
