1951 Tennessee-Alabama football: First televised event in SEC history

Tennessee football defeated Alabama, 27-13, on Oct. 20, 1951 at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. 44,000 were in attendance.

The matchup was the first televised event in SEC history (NBC).

The Crimson Tide, coached by fifth-year head coach Harold Drew, led, 7-0, after Bobby Marlow scored on a 1-yard run. The Vols tied the game in the second quarter after Hank Lauricella completed a 20-yard pass to Bert Rechichar.

The game was tied, 7-7, at halftime.

In the third quarter, Tennessee led, 14-7, after Dick Ernsberger scored on a 3-yard touchdown run. Tennessee extended its advantage to, 21-7, on a 35-yard run by Lauricella, who would finish runner-up for the Heisman Trophy.

Marlow’s second touchdown run pulled Alabama to within, 21-13, before the Vols ended the scoring on a 20-yard touchdown pass from Herky Payne to Vince Kaseta.

Lauricella completed 9-of-16 passing attempts for 113 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He also totaled 108 rushing yards and one touchdown on 15 attempts.

Tennessee finished its 1951 season with a 10-1 record (5-0 SEC) and won a national championship under head coach Robert Neyland.

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