Vanderbilt has just claimed victory in Alabama.
Following their stunning defeat of the Crimson Tide 40-35 a month ago, the Commodores triumphed over Auburn 17-7 on Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Diego Pavia threw two touchdown passes, including a 4-yard completion to Eli Stowers with 4:18 remaining, making Vanderbilt bowl eligible for the first time since 2018.
After the game, Vanderbilt offensive lineman Steve Hubbard had a message for the Auburn players and fans nearby.
“He’s up 3-0,” he remarked about Pavia. “On this same field, in this very city. He beat that (a-word). He came in here and beat that (a-word). … Take your (a-word) home.”
Although Pavia was kept in check for much of the game, he still secured a second consecutive win over Auburn. He completed 9 of 22 passes for 143 yards, including a 28-yard touchdown pass to AJ Newberry. Pavia had previously led New Mexico State to a significant upset over the Tigers last season before transferring to the SEC and contributing to this less surprising win.
He also previously defeated a Liberty team coached by Freeze, which is likely the source of the 3-0 reference.
Vanderbilt (6-3, 3-2 SEC) had a tough season last year, finishing winless in eight SEC games and ending on a 10-game losing streak. The arrival of Pavia, Stowers, and other key players has sparked a celebratory moment postgame.
As for the Tigers (3-6, 1-5), they are now one loss away from their fourth consecutive losing season.
Pavia, in turn, had the chance to defeat a team that showed little interest in recruiting him.
