Vanderbilt Stuns LSU Behind Diego Pavia's Three-Touchdown Performance

In a significant college football upset that reshaped the SEC landscape, No. 17 Vanderbilt delivered a statement victory over 10th-ranked LSU, defeating the Tigers 31-24 on Saturday. The Commodores' triumph, powered by quarterback Diego Pavia's dynamic three-touchdown performance, snapped a 10-game losing streak against LSU and marked Vanderbilt's best start to a season in 75 years.

Pavia's Heisman-Worthy Performance

Diego Pavia demonstrated why he's emerging as one of college football's most exciting players, accounting for three touchdowns in the victory. The quarterback threw for 160 yards and one score while adding 86 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Pavia's most memorable moment came at the end of his 21-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, when he struck a Heisman Trophy pose in the end zone – a fitting gesture for a player who entered the game with 150-1 odds to win the prestigious award according to ESPN BET.

Pavia's consistency has been remarkable, as he extended his streak of games with either a passing or rushing touchdown to 25 consecutive contests. This represents the second-longest active streak in FBS football, trailing only Florida State's Tommy Castellanos. Since Pavia's arrival, Vanderbilt has experienced a dramatic turnaround, with the quarterback now accounting for 13 wins as starter – more than the program's total wins from 2019 to 2023 combined.

Historic Program Achievement

The victory represents multiple historic milestones for Vanderbilt football. The Commodores improved to 6-1 for the first time since 1950, matching their best start in 75 years. This marked only the second time Vanderbilt has beaten LSU since 1990 and just the fourth meeting since 1947 where both schools entered the game ranked in the AP poll. The win also secured bowl eligibility for the Commodores, a significant achievement for a program that has struggled in recent seasons.

Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea emphasized the significance of the victory while maintaining perspective on the remainder of the season. "Ultimately we have a lot of season left, and we're going to celebrate this win," Lea stated. "I think we've earned the right to celebrate it. But this game won't define our season. And there's a lot more for this team to accomplish." The coach also praised Pavia's game-changing abilities, noting "You can't watch him play and not realize what a game changer he is. There are a lot of good players. There's only a handful to me that can take a game over, and he's one of those."

Defensive Stand and LSU's Missed Opportunities

While Vanderbilt's offense delivered impressive numbers against an LSU defense that ranked fifth nationally in points allowed (11.8 per game), the Commodores' defense played an equally crucial role. Vanderbilt limited LSU's rushing attack and forced the Tigers to settle for field goals on multiple occasions. LSU kicker Damian Ramos connected from 48, 42, and 23 yards but missed a 52-yard attempt, highlighting the Tigers' inability to convert red zone opportunities into touchdowns.

LSU coach Brian Kelly acknowledged his team's shortcomings, stating "We had opportunities, we didn't cash in on them." The Tigers' best chance to tie the game came with 8:55 remaining when Vanderbilt punted while leading 31-24. However, LSU's drive immediately stalled when Zaylin Wood sacked quarterback Garrett Nussmeier on the first play, forcing a three-and-out that effectively ended the Tigers' comeback hopes.

The victory celebration featured Vanderbilt playing "Callin' Baton Rouge" over the stadium speakers while security protected both goalposts from potential storming. The win sets up an important SEC matchup next week as Vanderbilt hosts No. 16 Missouri, while LSU travels to face No. 4 Texas A&M in another critical conference battle.