Vanderbilt Stuns No. 1 Alabama with 40-35 Upset in Epic College Football Clash

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In a historic upset, Vanderbilt defeated Alabama 40-35, marking the Commodores’ first win over a top-ranked team. The victory was particularly significant as it ended a 40-year drought against the Crimson Tide and snapped a 23-game losing streak against ranked opponents.

Vanderbilt (3-2, 1-1) had long struggled against top-tier teams, with this win showcasing their determination and resilience. Sedrick Alexander shone brightly, scoring two touchdowns. Additionally, Randon Fontenette’s Pick-6 added to the momentum, while quarterback Diego Pavia effectively outperformed Heisman hopeful Jalen Milroe, who plays for Alabama (4-1, 1-1).

The Commodores surged ahead early, scoring the first 13 points of the game. They established a solid 16-point lead, their largest ever against the number one team in the country. Alabama managed to narrow the gap with a touchdown by Jam Miller just before halftime, bringing the score to 23-14.

Alabama, fresh off a victory over Georgia that propelled them to the top of The Associated Press Top 25, started strong but quickly found themselves in a challenging situation. They deferred the opening toss, only to watch Vanderbilt seize control as Alexander scored the first touchdown of the game as the team capitalized on Alabama’s mistakes and penalties.

Despite Alabama’s efforts to rally, which included a TD run by Milroe that cut the score to 30-28, Vanderbilt responded decisively. The Commodores scored 10 unanswered points, with 13 of their total points resulting from Milroe’s turnovers, including a critical strip sack by Miles Capers.

Pavia sealed the deal with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Kamrean Johnson, extending the lead to 40-28. Although Milroe attempted to orchestrate a comeback with a late touchdown by Ryan Williams, celebrations erupted among Vanderbilt fans as Pavia ran down the clock, solidifying this monumental win.