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Tennessee football: Five takeaways from Vols’ 52-49 win vs. Alabama

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) celebrates with fans after Tennessee's 52-49 win over Alabama in Neyland Stadium, on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.Tennesseevsalabama1015 5568 1
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) celebrates with fans after Tennessee's 52-49 win over Alabama in Neyland Stadium, on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.Tennesseevsalabama1015 5568 1 /
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Chase McGrath kicked a 40-yard field goal as time expired, and Tennessee football ended its 15-game losing streak to the Alabama Crimson Tide with a 52-49 victory. The Vols, ranked No. 6 in the AP Poll and No. 8 in the Coaches Poll, secured their biggest home win since beating the Florida Gators in 1998, and just like then, the goalposts came down.

It’s only the second win ever for UT against a team ranked No. 1 in either poll, as the Tide are No. 1 in the Coaches Poll and No. 3 in the AP Poll. They jumped out to a 28-10 lead in the first half, but Alabama fought back to tied it up. The teams then went back and forth until the end.

With the win, Tennessee football improves to 6-0 on the year for the first time since 1998 and 3-0 in the SEC with the UT-Martin Skyhawks next week. Alabama falls to 6-1 and 3-1 in the SEC with a visit from the Mississippi State. Here are five takeaways from what just might be the biggest win of the century for the Vols.

These are the things we learned from the Tennessee football Volunteers’ victory over the Crimson Tide.

Oct 15, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers place kicker Chase McGrath (40) kicks the game winning field goal against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers place kicker Chase McGrath (40) kicks the game winning field goal against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Special teams miscues favored Vols.

Both teams had them. Alabama actually spotted the Vols their 28-10 lead in the first half, as they had a ridiculous fumble on a punt return. It was clear going into the game all week that UT would need some mistakes from Nick Saban’s team to win this game, and that was a critical one that really seemed to change the game early.

However, the Vols managed to have their own special teams miscues late. Chase McGrath missed an extra point in the third quarter. Then Jimmy Holiday ran a kickoff out of the end zone, and a fumble that was returned for a touchdown followed. However, the key miscues still favored UT.

Will Reichard missed a 50-yard field goal late in the game. Tennessee football then responded with two plays to set up a 40-yard field goal from Chase McGrath, and although he hit a knuckleball that should have been blocked, it went through the uprights. Just like 1998, the Vols won of special teams advantages.

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