They’re calling it faculty soccer’s model of the Music Metropolis Miracle.
Vanderbilt made historical past on Saturday, knocking off No. 1 Alabama 40-35. It marked the Commodores’ first-ever win over an AP top-five crew and simply the fourth time Alabama has misplaced as a No. 1 crew to an unranked opponent.
Diego Pavia was the star of the sport for the Commodores, passing for 233 yards and two touchdowns. He additionally rushed 20 occasions for 57 yards. Vanderbilt jumped out to a 13-0 lead on a Sedrick Alexander 7-yard landing run and a 24-yard interception return by Randon Fontenette midway by means of the primary quarter.
The Commodores led 23-14 at halftime as Alexander added a 1-yard scoring run. A late landing by Jam Miller reduce Alabama’s deficit to single digits earlier than the half, however Vanderbilt’s lead was the thrill of the day throughout the nation.
It was the primary time the Commodores defeated Alabama since 1984.
Coach Kalen DeBoer recorded the most important win of his brief Alabama profession final week towards Georgia, however the problem this week was conserving his crew centered for a proverbial “entice sport” at Vanderbilt.
Nonetheless, Alabama fell sufferer to the sluggish begin. Vandy had scored 13 factors towards Nick Saban-led Alabama groups in 4 conferences. It scored 23 within the first half alone on Saturday.
Alabama had 94 % probability to make the Faculty Soccer Playoff per Mock’s mannequin getting into the weekend, the very best likelihood within the nation. Its probabilities fell to 80 % after the loss, knocking it right down to a No. 8 seed.
The goalpost has left the stadium pic.twitter.com/tTlO0FrxtX
— Billy Derrick (@billyderrick10) October 6, 2024
Vanderbilt thrives in Nick Saban’s shade
Vanderbilt has lengthy been a bottom-feeder of the SEC. The Commodores have been 0-60 all-time vs. top-five groups, a streak relationship again to 1936. Actually, Nick Saban poked enjoyable on the Commodores two weeks in the past on the Pat McAfee present, saying, “The one place you play within the SEC that’s not exhausting to play is Vanderbilt. It’s no disrespect to them, it’s simply the reality.”
Vanderbilt had some enjoyable with that quote after the win.
NO WAY#Vandy performed this quote from Nick Saban after the upset over Alabama:
“The one place that’s not exhausting to play within the SEC is Vanderbilt.” pic.twitter.com/QDfGufSQol
— Billy Derrick (@billyderrick10) October 5, 2024
Vanderbilt’s win is the most important one of many 12 months
In pulling off the best Vanderbilt victory of the trendy period — its first win ever towards an AP top-5 opponent — harkening again to the times of Dan McGugin roaming the sideline a century in the past, the Commodores generated pleasure for the long run. And a little bit of remorse.
This crew ought to be 5-0 proper now. With out an upset loss at Georgia State and a double-overtime heartbreaker at Missouri, this could be the highly-ranked story of faculty soccer.
As it’s, Vanderbilt is a crew to observe for the remainder of the season due to quarterback Pavia and the magic he creates on this dazzling possibility offense. He does all of it, and Alabama merely couldn’t cease him from making gigantic performs — principally by means of the air within the second half. — Joe Rexrode
Alabama isn’t in as a lot CFP bother as it might appear
The CFP margin for error has shrunk, in fact, for an Alabama crew that also has difficult street video games towards Tennessee, LSU and Oklahoma forward.
But when the Crimson Tide preserve executing offensively the best way they did previously two video games, they nonetheless have an excellent probability of being one of many 12 groups within the match. This was a brutal defensive effort, particularly late when Vanderbilt ran proper into that protection for key positive aspects at occasions.
Additionally, Vanderbilt’s offense is like nothing Alabama will see the remainder of the season. This was task soccer, poorly executed by Alabama, every week after profitable the sport of the 12 months to this point. Alabama ought to reply. Don’t run Kalen DeBoer out of city simply but. — Rexrode
First-half miscues
Pavia completed the primary quarter 4-for-4 for 56 yards as Vanderbilt possessed the ball for greater than 10 minutes and transformed three of its 4 third-down tries.
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Alabama discovered itself down 7-0 after the Commodores scored a landing. On the Tide’s first possession, a tipped move resulted in a decide six, and Alabama’s deficit grew to 13-0.
VANDERBILT PICK 6
THE COMMODORES ARE UP 13-0 OVER ALABAMA 😮pic.twitter.com/Jkfg1efxGi
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) October 5, 2024
Into the second quarter, penalties harm Alabama’s probability for momentum. Trailing 13-7, Alabama pressured a punt on the Vanderbilt 47-yard line, however a penalty with each No. 2s (Zabien Brown and Ryan Williams) on the sector directly gave Vanderbilt a primary down. On the identical drive, a facemask and roughing the passer gave Vanderbilt two extra first downs en path to a landing to extend its result in 20-7 with 9:32 remaining within the second quarter. Alabama almost fumbled the following kickoff, however the fumble name was overturned, stopping a disaster.
Alabama completed with these three penalties for 33 pricey yards. It’s the continuation of a troubling pattern because the Tide entered Saturday ranked 96th nationally in whole penalties and 104th in penalty yards.
Regardless of a near-even margin in whole yards (Vanderbilt 186, Alabama 159), the Commodores managed the sport by changing third downs — 7-of-10 within the first half. The consequence was a 21:28 to eight:32 benefit in time of possession.
Williams’ magic isn’t sufficient
When Alabama wanted a giant play it referred to as on its 17-year-old phenom Ryan Williams — and he delivered.
Milroe discovered Williams for 11- and 13-yard completions on the primary two performs of the second half, a drive that resulted in a landing to chop the deficit to 23-21.
A number of minutes later, after Vanderbilt prolonged the result in 30-21, Williams delivered one other spectacular play — a 58-yard landing through which he tightroped the sideline on a contested catch and took it the gap. Then, confronted with a fourth-and-goal and trailing 40-28, Williams’ 2-yard landing run put Alabama again inside one possession.
👀👀👀👀@Ryanwms1
📺: SEC Community pic.twitter.com/Vq9ZHy92Rf
— Alabama Soccer (@AlabamaFTBL) October 5, 2024
His three receptions for 82 yards and dashing touchdowns have been brilliant spots for an Alabama roster that couldn’t recover from the hump to keep away from an upset. Amid a historic loss, the true freshman continued to construct his legacy early in his profession. — Kennington Smith
(Picture of Diego Pavia (2) and Sedrick Alexander (28) celebrating: Carly Mackler / Getty Pictures)
