Chase McGrath, Tennessee Volunteers. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Tennessee stepped up big in their win over Alabama, but some notable names had a hand in the long-awaited upset.
It took them a while to make it happen, but after 16 long seasons, the Tennessee Volunteers have finally beaten the Alabama Crimson Tide. It was a nail-biter, but the orange men have slayed the crimson dragon.
Sometimes, moments like this don’t happen without the fans having an impact. But more often than not, the players ultimately have a say in the outcome. Bama fans may be of the mindset that officiating had something to do with this, but that’s just their views. This is about Tennessee football.
It’s hard to believe that the losing streak is over, but it is, and every player made that possible, albeit some more than others. Besides the players, whom we will get to in just a few moments, credit must go to head coach Josh Heupel, who did the right thing throughout the game and never let his foot off the gas.
That was the only way Tennessee would have any chance of beating Alabama, and they did just that. But now it’s time to get to the players who rose to the massive occasion.
Tennessee football: 3 players who balled out to beat Alabama
3. K Chase McGrath
Chase McGrath plays a position that can be double-edged. Make a kick, and you are a hero. Miss it and lose the game? Forever vilified. Thankfully, for McGrath, he chose the former, and as a result, there’s going to be a lot of love for him in Knoxville.
The 40-yard kick that propelled the 52-49 victory set off a wild celebration of orange and white, and McGrath had a lot to do with it. It was his only kick of the night as Tennessee had seven touchdowns, all of them on the offense.
It’s going to be interesting to see how McGrath can practice kicks now because the goalpost that allowed his kick through took a long ride before ending up in the river. Whatever it is, hopefully, he got the ball back to hang on to as a souvenir.
