Diego Pavia guided the No. 12 Vanderbilt Commodores to a 45-24 win over the No. 18 Tennessee Volunteers in Saturday’s regular-season finale. The win capped the Commodores’ season at 10-2 overall, including a 6-2 record in the Southeastern Conference.
Pavia has led Vanderbilt to its first-ever 10-win season, and his magnificent performance this season has boosted his Heisman Trophy prospects.
Diego Pavia Seeks Heisman Glory After Leading Vanderbilt to Historic Win Over Tennessee
In Saturday’s game, Tennessee’s defense had difficulty containing Pavia, particularly in the second half. After the game, he celebrated by mimicking flicking money into the air before striking the Heisman pose with his teammates.
Pavia also once again threw his own name into the Heisman Trophy conversation.
“Take me to New York,” Pavia said in a postgame interview. “You know, I feel like you go look at the numbers, you look at what we got here, and obviously we did something that’s never been done. But it’s just a blessing to be here on this day, something I’ve dreamed about since I was a kid.”
Pavia had a shaky start on Saturday as he threw two interceptions in the first half, but he dominated after halftime, rushing 13 times for 118 yards and a touchdown. He finished the game completing 18 of 28 passes for 268 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, while also rushing for 165 yards on 20 carries with another touchdown.
Pavia has thrown for 3,192 yards, 27 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, while also rushing for 826 yards and nine touchdowns this season. No player in Vanderbilt history has ever won the Heisman, but he has a legitimate chance to become the first.
Even Commodores head coach Clark Lea endorsed his quarterback for the award after the Tennessee win.
“I just don’t know what else he needs to do,” Lea said of Pavia. “He needs to be in New York. He’s the best player in the country. He’s got that unique ability to take a game over. As the best player in the country, he also strengthens the performance of everyone on this football team. Some of that is not statistical.”
“I’m not sure where he’s gonna net out statistically with all the guys that are up for the award, but I can’t imagine that there are many of them that have as impressive of a resume as he has. He’s done it in the hardest conference in the country.”
Vanderbilt ranks No. 15 in the PFSN College Football Playoff Ranking. Despite their historic 10-2 season, the Commodores may still fall short of qualifying for their first College Football Playoff appearance this year.