Tag: Chase McGrath

Former Trojans Chase McGrath and Bru McCoy help Tennessee defeat Alabama

Hours before USC lost at Utah, two former Trojans helped @VolsWire’s Tennessee team take down a Nick Saban-coached Bama squad for the first time.

USC did win on Saturday … if you count former Trojans in the college football spotlight with other teams.

Clay Helton coached Georgia Southern to a win over James Madison. Georgia Southern handed James Madison its first loss of the 2022 season.

Meanwhile, in Knoxville, two Trojans played a role in helping Tennessee score its first-ever win over a Nick Saban-coached Alabama team. Tennessee won its first game over Alabama since 2006, which was the last year before Saban’s arrival in 2007. Mike Shula was still the head coach of the Crimson Tide the last time the Vols beat Bama.

Chase McGrath and Bru McCoy were both part of the Vols’ Big Orange attack against Saban. Let’s look at some of the highlights:

Tennessee topples Alabama on last-second field goal, 52-49

A last-second field goal gives Tennessee the upset of Alabama

It was worth waiting 15 years for if you were a Tennessee Volunteers fan.

Tennessee downed Alabama, 52-49, on a 40-yard field goal by Chase McGrath as time expired Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

This was a remarkable college football game. Incomprehensible drama.

The kick came after Hendon Hooker found Bru McCoy with a 27-yard pass on a play that ended with two seconds left. McCoy is a transfer from USC

McGrath’s game-winning kick “wasn’t pretty but it was beautiful” as CBS play-by-play voice Brad Nessler said.

Alabama had a chance to take the lead seconds earlier but Will Reichard missed a 50-yard field goal.

That set the stage for Tennessee’s fans to savor the victory that had been a long time comin’.

Chase McGrath by the numbers in 2021

A look at Tennessee kicker Chase McGrath by the numbers in 2021.

The 2021 season has concluded for Tennessee (7-6, 4-4 SEC).

The Vols dropped a 48-45 overtime decision to Purdue in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl.

The Vols recorded wins over Bowling Green, Tennessee Tech, Missouri, South Carolina, Kentucky, South Alabama and Vanderbilt.

Tennessee suffered losses to Pittsburgh, Florida, Ole Miss, Alabama, Georgia and Purdue.

Following the conclusion of the 2021 campaign, Vols Wire looks at Tennessee kicker Chase McGrath’s season by the numbers. The 6-foot, 195-pound redshirt senior totaled 102 points and his longest field goal was 48 yards in 2021.

McGrath’s stats in 2021 are listed below.

Chase McGrath discusses his time at Tennessee

Chase McGrath discusses his time at Tennessee.

Redshirt senior kicker Chase McGrath transferred to Tennessee from USC ahead of the 2021 season.

McGrath has made three field goals in three attempts this season for the Vols. The 6-foot, 195-pound kicker is also 9-of-9 in extra point attempts.

Ahead of the Vols’ Week 3 contest against Tennessee Tech, McGrath met with media. Below is a transcript of McGrath’s media availability provided by the University of Tennessee.

On his thought process going into a kick

“The thought process for every kick is the same really, no matter if it’s a PAT or a long field goal. Our special teams unit, we’ve put in a lot of work this offseason and Paxton (Brooks) is a great holder. Matthew (Salansky) is a great snapper. I have full confidence in them to do their job, which is a big thing for me. Having trust in my snapper and my holder to get the ball down on time is everything. They’ve made my job really easy so far.”

On why he chose to transfer to Tennessee

“The opportunity to come here and play in the SEC. The coaches here are amazing, I really enjoy playing for coach (Mike) Ekeler and coach Heupel. There are a lot of great guys here.”

NEXT: Chase McGrath’s media availability (continued)

Pages: Page 1, Page 2

Tennessee lands USC transfer

Tennessee lands USC transfer.

Tennessee has landed a transfer kicker to its 2021 roster.

USC kicker Chase McGrath is transferring to Tennessee. The news comes after Vols’ kicker Brent Cimaglia entered the NCAA transfer portal.

The 6-foot, 190-pound redshirt junior appeared in 30 games since 2017 for the Trojans. He was 32-of-42 on field goal attempts, with a long of 52 yards, and 118-of-119 on PATs.

McGrath is from Newport Beach, California and played at Mater Dei High School.

He joins his former teammate and roommate Velus Jones Jr. on Tennessee’s roster.

Oct 7, 2017; Los Angeles, CA; Southern California Trojans long snapper Jake Olson (61), place kicker Chase McGrath (40) and punter James Bermingham Jr. (47) pose after a NCAA football game against the Oregon State Beavers at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC defeated Oregon State 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

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