Tennessee knocks off Alabama in stunning thriller: College football media reacts
By Scott Rogust
College football media reacted to the Tennessee Volunteers handing the Alabama Crimson Tide their first loss of the season.
There will be a lot of cigar smoking in Knoxville on Saturday night.
The Tennessee Volunteers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide game had all the makings of being the best game of the 2022 college football season. Unlike some blockbuster films, this contest lived up to the hype, and then some.
Tennessee overcame a 49-42 deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat the Alabama Crimson Tide 52-49 to continue their undefeated season. This win carries even more significance, as this is their first head-to-head victory over Alabama since 2006.
The game came down to the kickers. Alabama tried to take a 52-49 lead, but Will Reichard’s 50-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right. Tennessee quarterback and Heisman contender Hendon Hooker led the team into field goal range after two huge passes to Ramel Keyton and Bru McCoy. Kicker Chase McGrath then nailed the 40-yard knuckleball kick to secure the victory for the Volunteers.
TENNESSEE TAKES DOWN ALABAMA AND THE FANS ARE STORMING THE FIELD AT NEYLAND STADIUM.
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) October 15, 2022
WHAT A WIN FOR THE VOLS. pic.twitter.com/1MkxrkyxBA
College football media reacts to Tennessee defeating Alabama
College football media reacted to the conclusion of the thrilling Week 7 game.
Tennessee had that brutal fumble that Alabama ran in to go up 49-42 with 7:49 left.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) October 15, 2022
Incredible the Vols turn around and won.
Inexplicable moment: Alabama getting down to the 33 in the last minute and then throwing it 3 times. Could've helped their kicker just a little.
Josh Heupel, the Tennessee coach that was promised
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) October 15, 2022
Tennessee coaches just roared out of the coaches booth in the press box.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) October 15, 2022
"LET'S GOOOOOO LET'S GOOOOO HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT!!!"
Don't over-rotate against saying teams are back when they are clearly back. Don't let 2016 Texas keep you scared forever.
— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) October 15, 2022
Tennessee is back now
Notre Dame's offense opens like it spent the past four hours watching Tennessee-Alabama. Three-and-out.
— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) October 15, 2022
Neyland Stadium is playing Dixieland Delight, a song about Tennessee, after the Vols end the streak against Alabama.
— Dan Harralson (@danharralson) October 15, 2022
Tennessee fans rushed onto the field to celebrate with the team, smoke some victory cigars, and even take down the field goalposts at Neyland Stadium.
Hooker continued to show why he is not only a Heisman candidate but also a potential first-round NFL Draft prospect. He matched fellow quarterback and potential first-overall pick Bryce Young I what was an incredible shoot-out between both quarterbacks.
Out of 30 pass attempts, Hooker completed 21 of them for 385 yard and five touchdowns, while throwing one interception.
Hooker’s main beneficiary in the passing attack was wide receiver Jaylin Hyatt, who caught six passes for 207 yards and five touchdowns. That’s right, only one of the six catches Hyatt recorded was not a touchdown. Truly an incredible performance by the junior wide receiver.
Young, on the other hand, completed 35-of-52 pass attempts for 455 yards and two touchdowns.
Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs had a huge game in Week 7, rushing for 103 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries.
With this victory, it would be a complete shock if Tennessee were not ranked one of the top four teams in the country. That will be decided on Sunday, but for now the team, fans, and students on campus will be celebrating the huge win over the Crimson Tide.
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