Vanderbilt pulled off an improbable upset over No. 1 Alabama on Saturday night, and one Commodores player is already setting his sights on big things.
Diego Pavia gained 252 passing yards and completed two touchdown passes, including one to Kamryan Johnson with 5:07 left in the team's 40-35 win.
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Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia celebrates a touchdown with offensive lineman Gunnar Hansen during a game against Alabama on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
After his win, Pavia said he wanted a chance at a national championship.
“I love Vandy,” he said after the postgame press conference. “This is what I came here for. I came here to win big football games. Our ultimate goal is to go to the College Football Playoff. So we want a chance at a national championship. . Just like everyone else.”
“This is just a journey and we have to keep improving. There are still small mistakes and we have to correct them. But on Saturday, anything is possible.”
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Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia dives for another yard past Alabama linebacker Jihad Campbell on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Nashville. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Vanderbilt never relinquished the lead throughout the game. The Commodores started 13-0 when Landon Fontenette returned a Jaylen Milroe interception 29 yards for a touchdown. Then, a rushing touchdown by Cedric Alexander and a field goal by Brock Taylor gave the team a 23-7 lead with 4:10 left in the first half.
The closest Alabama came to taking the lead was in the third quarter after Milroe's rushing touchdown. At this point it was 23-21. But Vanderbilt persevered.
Immediately after the victory, Pavia was emotional.
“Games like this change your life, you know what I mean?” he said. “There’s so much hype these days and I don’t like that, but that’s the reality of NIL and everything else.
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Vanderbilt University quarterback Diego Pavia (center) celebrates his team's 40-35 victory over No. 1 Alabama on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Nashville. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
“But I just have to keep my feet on the ground, stay where I am, and take care of my job every day and tomorrow in Kentucky.”
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