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It took exactly 1 Saturday afternoon for Diego Pavia to make a huge impression at Vanderbilt, and after the transfer quarterback led the Commodores to a season-opening 34-27 overtime victory over Virginia Tech, Skip Bayless couldn’t hold back.
The Vandy alum and analyst of all sports was all about Vanderbilt and specifically Pavia after his 4-yard run in overtime lifted the Commodores to victory. Vandy had let a 17-0 lead in the 2nd quarter slip away, then it trailed 27-20 late in the 4th quarter when Pavia tossed an 8-yard touchdown pass to running back Sedrick Alexander to tie the game and force overtime.
Diego Pavia just launched his legend in Nashville, upsetting VaTech just the way he shocked Auburn at Auburn while at NMexSt. last year. He just keeps making plays with his arm and his legs. Now at least my school Vanderbilt has a CHANCE. Now at least we're fun to watch.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) August 31, 2024
Pavia finished the day 12 of 16 for 190 yards and 2 touchdowns without an interception, and he also did work with his legs — as Bayless pointed out — rushing an astounding 26 times for 104 yards and that aforementioned game-winning touchdown run in OT.
Pavia spent the previous 2 seasons at New Mexico State, highlighted by that 31-10 upset victory at Auburn last November that Bayless referenced on Saturday. Before that, the Albuquerque native spent 2020 and ’21 at New Mexico Military Institute.
On Jan. 18, Pavia, who is just 6-foot, 200 pounds, announced he was going to give the SEC a shot and transfer to Vanderbilt.
On Saturday, Pavia made long-suffering Commodore fans glad he did.
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
