Rapid reaction from 18th-ranked Vanderbilt football’s 31-24 win over No. 10 LSU on Oct. 18 at FirstBank Stadium:
Talking Points
- Don’t call this an upset. Would you believe, though, that LSU had fifth-best scoring defense in the country entering this game? The Tigers simply could not stop the Commodores, who scored on five of their first six possessions, including four TD drives of at least nine plays. That allowed Vanderbilt to build a 31-21 lead entering the final quarter and – also importantly – build an edge of 28:49 to 16:11 in time of possession. When things have gone well for the Commodores in the Diego Pavia era, this is usually what it has looked like.
- Speaking of Pavia, this game was a timely addition to the quarterback’s Heisman Trophy resume. It was also a nice rebound for him and for the team after that discouraging defeat a couple of weeks ago at Alabama. He threw for 160 yards and a touchdown and ran for 86 yards and two touchdowns, escaping pockets and making all kinds of runs and throws to frustrate the Tigers.
- Facing a fourth-and-1 in the final minutes of the first half, the Commodores’ offense erred in rushing to the line and snapping the ball to Pavia, who was sacked, giving LSU the ball at Vandy’s 36. Credit the Dores’ defense, however, for coming up big, holding the Tigers to a field goal and giving their own offense enough time to drive for a matching field goal. Thus, Vandy led 17-13 at halftime.
- Vanderbilt’s fans have stepped up this season in attendance at home games. But LSU is LSU, and as usual, the Tigers’ faithful was well represented at FirstBank Stadium for this one. While it wasn’t a complete takeover like other big-name opponents have enjoyed in recent years, more than half of the crowd appeared to be shaded purple and gold.
Where the game turned
Trailing 24-13 midway through the third quarter, LSU made the play that changes and wins a game when QB Garrett Nussmeier somehow withstood pressure to find receiver Zavion Thomas, who bounced off tackles to go 62 yards for a touchdown. But this Vanderbilt, unlike other Vanderbilt teams, took that punch, smiled and delivered one right back, responding to LSU’s big TD with a 10-play, 75-yard TD drive that burned 6:25 off the clock and put the Commodores back in front by two scores.
Key number
239 – Rushing yards for Vanderbilt in this game, as opposed to LSU’s 100.
What I liked
This win over a Top 10 opponent, crazy as it sounds, felt relatively routine for Vanderbilt. Offensively, it did what it wanted for much of this game, keeping the football, extending long drives and building a huge advantage in time of possession entering the fourth quarter. That has been the perfect recipe for these Commodores in the Pavia era.
What I didn’t like
Defensively, Vanderbilt couldn’t quite slam the door, permitting big plays that allowed LSU to keep pace until the game’s final stages. (Couple of big stops by Vandy in those final stages, though.)
Reach Tennessean sports columnist Gentry Estes at gestes@tennessean.com and hang out with him on Bluesky @gentryestes.bsky.social
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Don’t call it an upset as Vanderbilt football rolls through LSU
