KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee fans were over the moon after a last-second field goal put the Vols on top to defeat Alabama for the first time since 2006.
The Vols remain undefeated after the Third Saturday in October, which has not been the case in the past 15 games against Alabama.
Fans rushed the field and tore down both the goalposts after the historic win, which is sure to cost a pretty penny for the University of Tennessee in fines from the SEC, but the football staff was clearly all smiles regardless.
Fans rode one of the goalposts out of Neyland Stadium on Saturday night, and one of them eventually made its way down Cumberland Avenue for a night of celebrations.
By the end of the night, one of the posts was floating in the Tennessee River.
Even Governor Bill Lee had to admit: It was a big day on Rocky Top.
Also joining in on the celebration was the Queen of Country herself, Dolly Parton. Dolly showed her love for the Vols and expressed regret she couldn't be there herself to see it.
AD Danny White, Coach Josh Heupel, players, and others lit up cigars in celebration of the historic win.
"I smoked it slowly, but it was very dang good," Heupel said during the post-game news conference.
UT football legend Peyton Manning started his day early on Rocky Top Saturday as ESPN College GameDay's celebrity guest picker. Fans worried the "Peyton Curse" would haunt the Vols with his appearance, but it appears the curse has finally been broken with this historic win. Peyton shared a celebratory cigar after the big win and shared one with wide receiver Jalin Hyatt.
"The last time Tennessee won, I wasn't even one year old. That's how long it's been," said one 17-year-old fan after the game.
Shortly after the game-winning field goal, fireworks thundered inside Neyland, sending a cloud of smoke above the stadium. Some joked that the cloud was from all the cigars being lit up in celebration.
The excitement wasn't just contained inside Neyland. Down at the Vol Village, fans watched nervously on the big screen as Vols kicker Chase McGrath lined up the game-winning kick. The moment it went through the posts, the large crowd erupted into a roar of cheers as fireworks went off.