VIDEO: Tennessee’s goalpost ripped off in win over Alabama

KNOXVILLE, Tenn (WATE) — Tennessee fans celebrated after the Vols’ first win over Alabama in 15 years by knocking down the goalposts at Neyland Stadium.

Immediately after the game between Tennessee and Alabama ended with a last-minute 40-yard field goal kicked by Chase McGrath, fans from the packed stands flooded the field in Knoxville.

Video captured by WATE at the stadium shows goal posts being demolished on the pitch.

According to ESPN, SEC fines for fans who rush onto the field can be as high as $250,000.

Not long after, the goalposts were being carried through the streets by fans. The group took the posts down Cumberland Avenue and eventually threw them into the Tennessee River.

The last time the University of Tennessee’s goal posts were knocked down was in 1998 when Tennessee defeated Florida.

Tennessee had not beaten a top-10 team since 2006 against Georgia. That was also the last year the Vols defeated Alabama.

A season later, Saban became Alabama’s coach. While The Tide has become college football’s greatest dynasty with six national titles, Tennessee has eloped coaches and sunk into mediocrity.

In his second season at Knoxville, coach Josh Heupel pulled the Vols out of the mud.

“This is college football at its finest,” Heupel said after the win. “We were the best team on the field today. That’s all we can control.”

“We didn’t ring the bell today,” said Alabama coach Nick Saban. “We’ve done too many things to help (Tennessee).”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.