No. 6 Tennessee beats No. 3 Alabama on final play in high-scoring thriller (2024)

For the first time since 2006, No. 6 Tennessee tasted victory over No. 3 Alabama, topping the Tide 52-49 in an SEC thriller.

In a high-scoring affair that notched over 1,000 total yards and 101 points, the game came down to one final score on the last play. Tennessee kicker Chase McGrath sent a low, wobbly 40-yard try through the uprights to set off celebrations. The 52 points are the most allowed by Alabama since Sewanee scored 54 in 1907.

On the possession just before, Alabama missed a 50-yard field goal. Hendon Hooker steered the ship to get down the field for chance at the game.

TENNESSEE TAKES DOWN ALABAMA AND THE FANS ARE STORMING THE FIELD AT NEYLAND STADIUM.

WHAT A WIN FOR THE VOLS. pic.twitter.com/1MkxrkyxBA

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) October 15, 2022

Hooker finished the game with 385 passing yards and five touchdowns, connecting with WR Jalin Hyatt (203 yards, a school record) for all five touchdowns.

When the Volunteers scored, they scored quick. The longest scoring drive was 4:23 and every other one was under two minutes, some under one. Alabama's defense came in allowing just 12.5 points per game; Tennessee scored more than that in the first 10 minutes.

Earning some negative milestones, Alabama allowed the most points in the Nick Saban era and committed the most penalties in program history (17 for 130 yards).

Coming back from injury, Bryce Young looked sharp with throwing two touchdowns and 455 passing yards to nine different receivers.

Tennessee stormed the field after the win in a sea of orange, pulling out the uprights to celebrate a game that will certainly alter the College Football Playoff landscape.

After No. 6 Tennessee took a 28-10 lead in the second, it’s been alllll Alabama. No. 3 Crimson Tide scored on five straight scores.

The Alabama defense have steadily held down Tennessee’s quick and explosive offense with another crucial turnover on downs.

Though, the Vols came back with another "blink and you’ll miss it" touchdown in the third.

With Alabama in the driver’s seat now, Tennessee will have to get some defensive stops to come out undefeated.

We’ve got another quarter to decide this wild SEC matchup.

No. 3 Alabama faced a hefty order facing their largest deficit since 2019, but the Crimson Tide showed some fight in the second quarter to get back to within 28-20.

Defensively, the Tide recorded a turnover on downs, fumble and timely sack. On the other end, the offense picked up 10 points.

Bryce Young is 17 for 26 for 205 yards. Meanwhile, Vols QB Hendon Hooker has 166 yards on 12-for-16 passing.

No. 6 Tennessee lost a little bit of steam in that second quarter, it'll have to continue to hit the gas to take down Alabama for the first time since 2006.

Through one quarter, this top-10 matchup delivered on every promise and more. No. 6 Tennessee came out swinging with an ultra quick offensive attack, leading No. 3 Alabama 21-7.

Alabama opponents score only 12.5 points per game.The Volunteers crushed that within the first 15 minutes.

The Vols scored on each of their three possessions, all of which were under two minutes — the quickest was just four plays in 1:02. Jalin Hyatt scored two of those touchdowns and leads the game with 47 receiving yards.

After missing Alabama's last game vs. Texas A&M, quarterback Bryce Young is expected to play against Tennessee according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. Young injured his shoulder on Oct. 1 in Alabama's 49-26 win at Arkansas.

Bryce Young is expected to play against Tennessee, ESPN's @PeteThamel just reported: https://t.co/RWEsbYRLEF

— Nick Kelly (@_NickKelly) October 15, 2022

-

• Time: 3:30 p.m.
• Date: Saturday, Oct. 15
• TV channel: CBS
• Online: Click or tap here for CBS Sports

From NCAA.com's Mike Lopresti's Week 7 preview:

One more good play by both Texas and Texas A&M, and Alabama could be sitting here with two defeats, which would automatically trigger a state of emergency in the Yellowhammer State. All turned out right in the final minute, barely, but even Big Al the mascot elephant is now worried sick about Bryce Young’s throwing shoulder. And the Tide have slid allll the way down to No. 3 in the Associated Press poll.

The defense must answer the call Saturday against a Tennessee offense that is among the nation’s most electric, with a 46.8 scoring average. The Vols have hit at least 30 points in eight consecutive games and the last time they did that, the quarterback was named Peyton Manning. They have also beaten three ranked opponents. They have also produced 30 touchdowns in five games. Alabama has allowed seven in six games, so it’s not hard to see where a main battleline should be.

This is the first time in 33 years that both teams are unbeaten for their date. ESPN GameDay will be there, of course. GameDay has been around for nearly as many big Tide moments as the Alabama Million Dollar Band. This will be the 45th visit during the Nick Saban era — Ohio State is next highest at 36 — and a lot of his shiny numbers are on the line: 35-1 in the last 36 games against the SEC East, 54-3 in October. And that perfect 15-0 shutout of Tennessee. One tradition of this game is the winners light up cigars. The Vols’ side has been a no-smoking area for nearly a generation.

Here's how the teams stack up heading into the Week 7 game:

Alabama and Tennessee are both in the top 10, making it the 11th time in series history the two teams are in the top 10 when facing each other. However, it's the first time both are ranked in the top six.

Here's the latest AP Poll: