NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Sedrick Alexander ran for two touchdowns, Randon Fontenette scored on a pick-6 and Diego Pavia outdueled Heisman Trophy candidate Jalen Milroe as Vanderbilt defeated Alabama 40-35 on Saturday, giving the Commodores their first victory over the Top of the country gifted team.

Vanderbilt (3-2, 1-1) was 0-60 against AP top-five teams all-time before Saturday, the longest such streak in the poll era (since 1936). The Commodores hadn't beaten Alabama on the field in 40 years, but they managed to snap a 23-game skid by making one big play after another, giving coach Clark Lea the biggest win ever at his alma mater .

The Commodores scored the first 13 points and took their largest lead ever over the No. 1 team in the country by 16 points. Alabama running back Jam Miller ran for his second touchdown just before halftime, cutting the lead to 23-14.

Alabama had just moved to the top of The Associated Press Top 25 after an emotional win over Georgia. The Tide won the opening toss and adjourned.

Alexander capped the first drive with a 7-yard TD to give Vandy the lead and stay. It was the first time since 2007 that Vandy opened a game against Alabama with a TD – Nick Saban's second game as coach. Alabama rebounded to win 24-10 on the day.

This time, the Tide (4-1, 1-1) helped Vanderbilt extend the lead with too many errors, sloppy play and penalties.

Alabama got within 30-28 on Milroe's TD run in the third quarter.

Vanderbilt responded with 10 points. Of those, 13 came from Milroe's two turnovers, the second from a strip sack by Miles Capers, who was tied up by Yilanan Ouattara at midfield for Vanderbilt.

Pavia capped the drive with a 6-yard TD pass to Alabama native Kamrean Johnson for a 40-28 lead with 5:07 left. Milroe tried to rally Alabama with Ryan Williams scoring an end-around on fourth-and-1 from two yards out with 2:46 left, but they never got the ball back.

Vanderbilt fans and players began cheering as Pavia knelt to run out the clock.

The Associated Press and ESPN Research contributed to this story.