In a stunning turn of events, coach Carl Lea’s Vanderbilt Commodores rode the slight of hand of Diego Pavia the whole way, and pulled off a monumental upset against the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide, winning 40-35 in Nashville on October 5, 2024. This loss marks Alabama’s first defeat of the season, after defeating Georgia in a thriller, and their first to Vanderbilt since 1984, as well as their first loss to an unranked opponent since 2021. But this was about the undaunted Vandy QB Diego Pavia who was the hero, completing 16 of his 20 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns while also adding 57 yards rushing.
Game Overview
The game started poorly for Alabama, who found themselves trailing early. Vanderbilt scored a touchdown on their opening drive, and a subsequent tipped pick-six thrown by Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe put the Crimson Tide in a 13-0 hole. Although Alabama managed to respond with a touchdown to narrow the gap to 13-7 by the end of the first quarter, they struggled to maintain momentum. By the second quarter, Alabama was down 23-7, facing significant challenges both offensively and defensively throughout the game.
Alabama and Milroe’s performance was a mix of big plays and costly mistakes. While Jalen showed his ability to move the offense and generate yards, his turnovers played a significant role in Alabama’s upset loss to Vanderbilt.
- Turnovers: Milroe had two crucial turnovers that significantly impacted the game. He threw a pick-six in the first quarter, which contributed to Alabama falling behind 13-0 early. Later, he lost a fumble in the fourth quarter. These two turnovers directly led to 13 Vanderbilt points.
- Passing stats: Despite the turnovers, Milroe had a productive passing game. He threw for 312 yards on just 25 attempts, averaging well over 8 yards per play.
- Rushing: Milroe scored a rushing touchdown that brought Alabama within two points at 30-28. However, the overall Alabama run game lacked explosiveness, averaging only 4 yards per carry.
- Comeback attempt: Milroe tried to lead a comeback for Alabama late in the game. This effort included a touchdown drive that ended with Ryan Williams scoring on an end-around play on fourth-and-1 from 2 yards out with 2:46 left, bringing the score to 40-35.
- Overall effectiveness: While Milroe and the Alabama offense were generally effective, moving the ball well and averaging over 8 yards per play, the turnovers and lack of explosive running plays limited their overall impact.
- Comparison to opponent: Despite Milroe’s Heisman Trophy candidate status, he was outplayed by Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia in this game.
Key Factors in the Upset
Defensive Struggles
Alabama’s defense was unable to stop Vanderbilt’s offense on crucial third downs, allowing the Commodores to convert 12 of their 18 attempts. This inefficiency on defense contributed significantly to their inability to regain control of the game.
Time of Possession
Vanderbilt dominated time of possession, holding onto the ball for an impressive 39 minutes and 22 seconds compared to Alabama’s mere 17 minutes and 52 seconds. This disparity allowed Vanderbilt to dictate the pace of the game and limit Alabama’s offensive opportunities.
Offensive Highlights
Despite the loss, Alabama’s freshman wide receiver Ryan Williams continued his impressive streak, catching three passes for 82 yards and a touchdown. His performance reflects his growing importance in Alabama’s offense.
Historical Context
This upset is particularly significant not only because of its immediate impact on the season but also due to its historical implications. It is a reminder of how unpredictable college football can be; teams that are heavily favored can falter against underdogs when they fail to execute effectively. The loss will likely prompt intense scrutiny of Alabama’s strategies moving forward as they prepare for upcoming games.
Conclusion
The victory for Vanderbilt is a landmark achievement that will continue to be celebrated all week long by fans and players alike. The fans rushed the field and they deserved every second of it! It serves as a testament to their capability to compete at high levels against formidable opponents.
For Alabama, this defeat raises questions about their defensive strategies and overall performance as they look to rebound in future matchups.