Tennessee Vols hero reveals the huge favor that Nick Saban did for him during thrilling win over Alabama

There is no doubt that coaches love to call timeout before an opposing kicker takes a shot at a crucial field goal.  Some players go into shell when that happens.  They begin to feel the pressure and wilt mentally.

But that's not what former Tennessee Vols kicker Chase McGrath says happens to him when opposing coaches call timeout, and that was proven in the team's biggest win in over 20 years a couple of seasons ago.

McGrath booted the winning points as the clock hit zero in Tennessee's 52-49 win over Alabama on October 15, 2022 that sent the Neyland Stadium crowd into a frenzy and set the scene for one of the wildest on-field celebrations in UT history.

McGrath explained on the Full Disclosure+ YouTube channel exactly what he was feeling when Saban called timeout ahead of his attempt ( 4-minute mark of video ).

"Coaches like to do that a lot.  I always really appreciated it. In that scenario, especially a game-winning kick, it allowed me to have the time to take a deep breath and visualize more. I'm able to be out on the field and kind of collect myself and put myself in a positive mind frame and have the utmost confidence that we're about to make that kick. Really just go out there and stand on the 40-yard line, where I'm about to kick it from, and just visualize. Hit some kicks on air, and really just make sure I'm feeling good, my technique is ready to go."

Clearly, the extra time worked out for McGrath and the Vols.  McGrath was able to get a kick away that was on line. However, the play still didn't go exactly to plan.  According to McGrath, the time from snap to kick there was 1.05 seconds instead of the 1.25 seconds it typically is.

That hurried process turned out to be tremendous for Tennessee, because Byron Young of Alabama broke through the line and got a fingertip on the ball, which is why it like a wounded duck flying towards the uprights.  Any longer, and things could have gone very differently.

"All of the stars kind of aligned for that moment," McGrath added. "Because not only were we moving extremely fast on our operation time, and really efficient with it, I think it was 47 on Bama, he jumped it perfectly, too, and was right up the middle. He was basically in my face as I kicked it.  Thankful I wasn't looking, so I couldn't tell. I was focused on the ball.  And I hit a clean ball, and he got two fingers on it."

But one of uglier looking kicks in recent memory turned into one of the most beautiful that Tennessee fans will ever see.  It doesn't matter how it got there, just that it did.

Tennessee fans have McGrath and the fast-acting field goal team to thank for finishing off one of the greatest wins in recent Tennessee memory.  And they also have Saban to thank as well.

Related: Tennessee Vols' James Pearce, Jr. leads all pass rushers in crucial stat amid quietly impressive season