Vanderbilt has climbed all the way into the top 10 in the AP Poll. Their next test was against a solid 17th-ranked LSU Program.
The Commodores’ QB had a rough outing last time out against Alabama. Pavia threw for only 198 yards and one interception and was held relatively in check by a stout Alabama defense.
This week, he needed to turn the page, and Pavia did exactly that. He did it with his legs. The senior QB ran for 86 yards and two TDs while also passing for one.
The home team certainly needed that type of performance from Pavia after his rough outing last week. He came through when they needed him most and led them to victory.
The Commodores knew their opponent would be a tough test. LSU put up three points on their first drive, which was a 12-play, 44-yard series that took just over five minutes off the clock. Vanderbilt was in for a shootout, and it seemed that LSU was as well.
The teams traded scoring drives as Vandy drove down the field and scored a TD, then LSU did the same. The tone was finally set when the second quarter started — that was when the Commodores and Pavia showed they weren’t messing around. A 14-play, 75-yard TD drive that took 8:58 off the clock ensued.
The drive ended on a gutsy 4th-and-goal call at the LSU one-yard line. Pavia turned around and handed the ball to junior RB Sedrick Alexander, who muscled his way in for the score. The score was 14–10, and the Commodores never trailed after that. They pulled out the 31–24 victory in a matchup between two Top 25 teams.
That long drive was when LSU knew they were in trouble. They proceeded to drive down the field themselves but missed a 52-yard field goal, only adding to the pain.
Vanderbilt controlled the time of possession, 36:06 to 23:29. The long, sustained drives did LSU in, along with their inability to score TDs when they needed them most.
Vanderbilt has a tough upcoming schedule. Their next game is against 16th-ranked Missouri, who just outlasted Auburn in a 3-OT, 23–17 win. After that, they take on Arch Manning and an improved Texas team. Vanderbilt certainly has momentum going into those matchups. Can they keep it up?
The 10th-ranked Vanderbilt Commodores are riding high after their win over LSU. This is certainly a team that can make noise in the playoffs.
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