Diego Pavia's 3 TDs power no. 17 Vanderbilt to historic victory over no. 10 LSU

In a thrilling SEC game, no. 17 Vanderbilt Saturday no. 10 LSU stunned with a 31-24 victory, snapping a 10-game losing streak against the Tigers. Led by quarterback Diego Pavia’s remarkable performance, the Commodores picked up their first win over LSU since 1990. It was Vanderbilt’s second win against a ranked opponent this season, improving their record to 6-1 overall and 2-1 in SEC play. Diego Pavia shines with three touchdowns Diego Pavia was the undeniable star, throwing for 160 yards and a score and running for 86 yards and two more touchdowns. His 21-yard touchdown run to end the third quarter ended with a bold Heisman Trophy stand in the end zone, igniting the Vanderbilt faithful. Vanderbilt’s offense, which ranked seventh nationally with an average of 43.2 points per game, lived up to its reputation. The Commodores never trailed in the game, a rare feat in this historic rivalry, which was only the fourth meeting since 1947 with both teams ranked in the AP poll. Vanderbilt’s dominant defense The Commodores’ defense, ranked 16th nationally, played a significant role in curbing LSU’s ground game. The Tigers, led by quarterback Garrett Nussmeier’s 225 passing yards and two touchdowns, including a 62-yard strike to Zavion Thomas, have struggled to convert big plays into consistent points. A 51-yard run by Caden Durham got LSU to Vanderbilt’s 2-yard line, but the Commodores forced a field goal, one of four attempts by LSU kicker Damian Ramos, who connected on kicks of 48, 42 and 23 yards, but missed a 52-yarder. A critical moment came late in the fourth quarter when LSU, trailing 31-24, got the ball after Vanderbilt’s first punt. Defensive lineman Zaylin Wood sacked Nussmeier on the first play, derailing the Tigers’ momentum. LSU punted three plays later and was unable to mount a comeback. A historic win for Vanderbilt Vanderbilt’s efficiency was evident as they punted just twice in the fourth quarter while scoring the most points. The victory sparked wild celebrations at FirstBank Stadium, with “Callin’ Baton Rouge” blaring over the loudspeakers as fans reveled in the upset. Upcoming Games Vanderbilt (6-1, 2-1 SEC) looks to keep the momentum going as they host No. 16 Missouri next week in another tough SEC game. Meanwhile, LSU (5-2, 2-2 SEC) faces a challenging road test against No. 4 Texas A&M hoping to bounce back from this setback.