Alabama stunned by Vanderbilt as Ryan Williams can't save No.1 seed from enormous upset

Alabama suffered a stunning 40-35 loss to Vanderbilt - despite another eye-catching performance from 17-year-old superstar Ryan Williams.

The freshman wide receiver has made a huge impact already this season and pulled off a remarkable game-winning touchdown catch in an epic showdown with Georgia last week. That win saw Alabama become the No.1 ranked team in the college football rankings - but they were shocked by Vanderbilt in an SEC thriller, handing new head coach Kalen DeBoer his first loss since replacing Nick Saban.

Williams pulled off another highlight-reel touchdown grab in the second half, taking a Jalen Milroe pass 58 yards to the house. And when they fell 40-28 behind deep in the fourth quarter, he was given the ball on a reverse and strolled in for a two-yard touchdown run.

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But Vanderbilt stood firm, with Alabama's defense simply unable to stop the Diego Pavia-led offense, which kept coming up with big plays when it mattered. It is the first time the Crimson Tide has lost to Vanderbilt since 1984 and its first loss to an unranked team since being beaten by Texas A&M in 2021.

It is the first time Vanderbilt has ever beaten the No.1 ranked team in the country. Their fans stormed the field in wild scenes after the game.

Pavia, a graduate transfer from New Mexico State, threw two touchdowns including a dime to Junior Sherrill on fourth-and-one in the third quarter. He threw a huge third-down completion under big pressure in the fourth quarter as the Commodores ran down the clock.

Vanderbilt also rushed for 166 yards on the ground to leave Alabama with few answers. The result throws the SEC and the College Football Playoff picture wide open.