by NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Sedrick Alexander ran for two touchdowns, Randon Fontenette scored on a Pick-6 and Diego Pavia beat Heisman Trophy candidate Jalen Milroe as Vanderbilt stunned Alabama 40-35 on Saturday for the Commodores’ first win over the top-ranked team of the country.
Vanderbilt (3-2, 1-1) had lost all 60 games against AP Top Five teams, according to SportRadar. The Commodores hadn’t beaten Alabama on the field in 40 years, but they snapped a 23-game skid and made big play after big play, giving coach Clark Lea the biggest win ever for his alma mater.
The Commodores scored the first 13 points to take a 16-point lead, the largest ever over the No. 1 team in the country. Only Jam Miller, who ran for his second TD just before halftime, cut that to 23-14.
Alabama had just risen to the top of The Associated Press Top 25 after an emotional win over Georgia. The Tide won the opening coin toss and postponed.
Alexander capped the opening drive with a 7-yard touchdown, keeping Vandy ahead. It was the first time since 2007 that Vandy had opened a game against Alabama with a TD – Nick Saban’s second game as coach. Alabama rallied to win 24-10 that day.
This time, the Tide (4-1, 1-1) helped Vanderbilt take the lead with too many mistakes, sloppy play and penalties.
Alabama pulled within 30-28 with Milroe’s TD run.
Vanderbilt answered with 10 points. Of their total, 13 came from Milroe’s two turnovers, the second a Miles Capers strip sack recovered by Yilanan Ouattara at midfield for Vanderbilt.
Pavia capped the drive with a 6-yard TD pass to Alabama native Kamrean Johnson with 5:07 left for a 40-28 lead. Milroe tried to rally Alabama, with Ryan Williams scoring on an end on fourth-and-1 from 2 yards out with 2:46 left.
Vanderbilt fans and players began celebrating as Pavia knelt to run out the clock.
