KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — In 2022, Tennessee kicker Chase McGrath kicked a game-winning field goal to beat Alabama for the first time in 15 years.
When deciding to transfer to UT in 2021, McGrath talked about wanting to play for a historic program, but I don't think he ever imagined just how legendary his name would go down in the Tennessee history books.
Before the game-winning kick, Alabama missed a 50-yard field goal right before Tennessee's last drive. McGrath said he knew at that moment that the game's outcome would solely depend on him.
"I was going to have an opportunity to either tie the game or win it," McGrath said. "I was mentally prepared for both scenarios."
When the kick went through, McGrath vividly remembered the feeling and that same feeling rolled around each year when Tennessee played the Crimson Tide.
"Throughout my whole career... I was never emotional about the game," he said. "But that game in particular, right after it went through, it starts to hit you that you just beat Alabama, you broke the streak. It's something I will never forget."
McGarth said his two-year career at Tennessee was worth the transfer portal process from USC and he is forever thankful for the fanbase that continues to show their love for him as a VFL.
"The Tennessee fanbase is the most amazing fanbase in college football," McGrath said.
He tells the same story each time Vol Nation is brought up in conversation.
"There was a woman, who I didn't know at the time, but she went into labor that night of the Tennessee-Alabama game and gave birth the next morning to baby Heidi Chase," he said. "They named their daughter after me, and I am just so thankful Tennessee... it was the best two years of my life."
McGrath plans to attend the rivalry matchup on Saturday at 3:30 pm. It will be the first time he will be back inside Neyland Stadium since he played for the Vols against Missouri in 2022.
