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The sequel is rarely as good as the original, so forgive Tennessee football if it didn’t have as many fireworks in this field-storming, goalpost-toppling, cigar-smoking win over Alabama.
The Vols (6-1, 3-1 SEC) turned back the Tide (5-2, 2-2) for 24-17 victory Saturday.
A familiar tune of “Dixieland Delight” echoed through Neyland Stadium, but it barely had time to taunt the Alabama players as they ran off the field with about 20 seconds remaining on the game clock.
When the final seconds ticked away, UT players stormed the front row of the student section while fans lit their victory cigars. Then students leaped past the players, and the celebration poured onto the turf.
The game wasn’t an instant classic in this Third Saturday in October rivalry like the 2022 game, which UT won 52-49. But no one wearing orange cared how it looked as they flooded Shields-Watkins Field.
“It wasn’t pretty early. (A crowd of almost) 102,000 saw it. Everybody on TV saw it. We saw it too,” UT coach Josh Heupel said. “(But there’s) nothing better than walking off the field with the crowd surrounding you and a cigar in your mouth.”
‘I’ll tell my grandkids and kids about that play’
It didn’t have to be a work of art.
The highlights and memories should last just as long as any Tennessee win over Alabama because they’re so hard to come by – or least they used to be.
Will Brooks, the walk-on safety from Birmingham, Alabama, was beaming with pride after making the interception that sealed the victory.
“I’ll definitely tell my grandkids and kids about that play,” Brooks said. “It’s such a great feeling.”
Wide receiver Chris Brazzell caught the 16-yard pass from Nico Iamaleava for the go-ahead touchdown with 1:30 remaining.
“That was my No. 1 (catch of my life), for sure, because that was my first time playing…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/tennessee-football-fans-made-beating-024907115.html
Author : Knox News | The Knoxville News-Sentinel
Publish date : 2024-10-20 02:49:07
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