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

On October 20, 1951, Tennessee's football team emerged victorious over Alabama with a score of 27-13 at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. The game, the SEC's first televised event, drew a crowd of 44,000 spectators. Tennessee's coach, Harold Drew, was in his fifth year leading the team.

Alabama took an early lead, 7-0, after Bobby Marlow scored on a 1-yard run. However, Tennessee's Hank Lauricella responded in the second quarter with a 20-yard pass to Bert Rechichar, tying the game at 7-7. At halftime, the score remained at 7-7.

In the third quarter, Tennessee took the lead, 14-7, after Dick Ernsberger scored on a 3-yard touchdown run. Tennessee widened its advantage to 21-7 with a 35-yard run by Lauricella, who would finish as the Heisman Trophy's runner-up. Marlow scored his second touchdown, bringing Alabama's score to 21-13.

Alabama managed to score one more touchdown, reaching 21-13, before the Vols sealed the win with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Herky Payne to Vince Kaseta. Lauricella completed 9 of his 16 passing attempts for 113 yards, including one touchdown and two interceptions. He also rushed for 108 yards and another touchdown on 15 attempts. Tennessee concluded its 1951 season with a 10-1 record (5-0 SEC) and claimed the national championship under head coach Robert Neyland.