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Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia Makes Bowl Game History Against Georgia Tech

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Rex Villas | Last updated Dec 27, 2024 10:49 PM ET

Diego Pavia and the Vanderbilt Commodores have done it. For the first time since 2014, Vandy won a bowl game, as the Commodores defeated the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Friday in the Birmingham Bowl at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama.

Vanderbilt likely would not have scored with a 35-27 victory over the Yellow Jackets without the explosive performance of Pavia, who made sure to show up in the game in his top form. Against Georgia Tech, the senior signal-caller passed for 160 yards and three touchdowns with zero interceptions.

Additionally, Pavia found the end zone twice with his legs, as he rushed for two touchdowns to go with 84 rushing yards on 17 carries.

Pavia's big night earned him not just a bowl win but a piece of history in Vanderbilt's bowl participation.

According to SEC Network, Pavia's five total touchdowns versus the Yellow Jackets is the most ever in a bowl game by a Commodores player.

Vanderbilt’s bowl win was a terrific ending for the program’s surprising 2024 campaign that saw the Commodores go 6-6 with wins against the likes of the Alabama Crimson Tide and Kentucky Wildcats. The Commodores also gave the Texas Longhorns a run for their money in a three-point loss to the Quinn Ewers-led squad.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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