Diego Pavia Vanderbilt leads upset win over No. 10 LSU

Diego Pavia Vanderbilt leads the Commodores to a 31-24 upset over No. 10 LSU, marking their best 6-1 start since 1950 with a Heisman-worthy run.

Vanderbilt Makes History With First 6–1 Start in 75 Years

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Vanderbilt Commodores pulled off one of their most impressive victories in program history, defeating No. 10 LSU 31–24 on Saturday night. Quarterback Diego Pavia was the star of the show, throwing for 160 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 86 yards and two more scores.

With this win, No. 17 Vanderbilt improved to 6–1 — marking their best start since 1950 — and snapped a 10-game losing streak to LSU. The victory also made the Commodores bowl-eligible for the first time in several seasons and gave them their second win over a top-15 opponent in 2025 — a program first.

Pavia’s Heisman Moment Ignites the Commodores

Pavia, who entered the game with 150-1 odds to win the Heisman Trophy, delivered a signature highlight late in the third quarter. After escaping the pocket and sprinting 21 yards for a touchdown, he struck the iconic Heisman pose in the end zone, igniting the Nashville crowd.

He completed 14-of-22 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown, maintaining his streak of 25 consecutive games with a passing or rushing score — the second-longest active streak in the nation behind Florida State’s Tommy Castellanos (27).

“He’s a game-changer,” said head coach Clark Lea. “There are good players, and then there are players who can take over games. Diego is one of those rare ones.”

Vanderbilt Offense Too Much for LSU’s Elite Defense

Coming into the matchup, LSU’s defense was ranked fifth nationally, allowing just 11.8 points per game. But Vanderbilt’s explosive offense, ranked seventh in scoring (43.2 points per game), proved too much to handle. The Commodores scored more points than any team has against LSU this season and punted only twice — both in the fourth quarter.

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier threw for 225 yards and two touchdowns, including a 62-yard bomb to Zavion Thomas. Running back Caden Durham added a 51-yard burst but the Tigers repeatedly stalled in the red zone, settling for four field-goal tries. Damian Ramos converted kicks from 48, 42, and 23 yards but missed from 52.

“We had chances but didn’t cash in,” LSU head coach Brian Kelly admitted post-game.

Defense Holds Firm as Vanderbilt Seals the Win

Vanderbilt’s defense, ranked 16th nationally, stood tall when it mattered most. After LSU cut the lead to 31–24, the Commodores forced a quick three-and-out, capped by Zaylin Wood’s clutch sack on Nussmeier. From there, Pavia and the offense ran down the clock and closed the door on LSU’s comeback hopes.

As the final whistle blew, Vanderbilt fans erupted while the stadium DJ played “Callin’ Baton Rouge” — a symbolic send-off for their long-time SEC rivals. The Commodores protected their goalposts this time, knowing there’s still a lot more football left in 2025.

What’s Next for Both Teams

Vanderbilt (6-1) now turns its attention to a crucial home clash against No. 16 Missouri, hoping to continue its dream season and climb higher in the national rankings. Meanwhile, LSU (5-2, 2-2 SEC) will look to regroup as they prepare to visit No. 4 Texas A&M in a high-stakes conference matchup.

Diego Pavia Vanderbilt