Coach Clark Lea promises Vanderbilt's historic win over No. 1 Alabama is only the start
The Vanderbilt Commodores have beaten a No. 1 team in football
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Vanderbilt Commodores have beaten a No. 1 team in football. That’s a first, and the biggest win in program history.
The Commodores never trailed in upsetting top-ranked Alabama 40-35 on Saturday, handing coach Clark Lea a victory to finally match some of those posted by his alma mater in men's basketball, women's basketball and two national championships in baseball.
“This is why I came back," said Lea, who was doused in Gatorade in the celebration. “It’s meant to be emotional. I bled a lot into this, and it just feels great to be able to celebrate with the team that I love and care about. I look forward to doing that more in the future.”
Lea had won big as a coach, lastly as defensive coordinator at Notre Dame. He returned to his hometown team, which has long been derided as the Southeastern Conference’s perennial cellar dweller whose most sustained success came a century ago — before the founding of the SEC.
