Sep 13, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia (2) scrambles towards the South Carolina Gamecocks within the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Jeff Blake-Imagn Photographs Diego Pavia accomplished 18 of 25 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns to assist Vanderbilt put up a formidable 31-7 upset over the No. 11 South Carolina in Columbia, SC., on Saturday.
Pavia additionally threw an interception for the Commodores (3-0, 1-0 Southeastern Convention), who snapped a 16-game shedding streak towards South Carolina, incomes their first win over the Gamecocks since September 2008.
Sedrick Alexander ran 13 instances for 41 yards and a rating for Vanderbilt, which gained its convention opener for the primary time since 2011.
Including harm to insult, South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers – a possible Heisman Trophy candidate — exited within the second quarter and didn’t return. Earlier than taking successful to the pinnacle from Langston Patterson, Sellers was 6-for-7 passing with 94 yards and an interception.
In aid of Sellers, Luke Doty accomplished 18 of 27 passes for 148 yards and an interception for the Gamecocks (2-1, 0-1 SEC), who fell at dwelling towards Vanderbilt for the primary time in 18 years.
After forcing a punt on South Carolina’s opening drive of the second half, Vanderbilt grabbed a 21-7 lead on Jamezell Lassiter’s 44-yard dashing rating with 10:48 left within the third.
With an opportunity to take a three-score lead, Vanderbilt drove to South Carolina’s 11-yard line, the place Pavia was intercepted by Justin Okoronkwo.
Vanderbilt then turned South Carolina over on downs for the second straight time, taking up at its personal 49-yard line early within the fourth. The Commodores took benefit, taking a 24-7 lead on Brock Taylor’s 51-yard discipline purpose.
Bryce Cowan sacked Doty and compelled a fumble — which Miles Capers recovered — on the subsequent drive, resulting in Alexander’s second landing on the 5:13 mark of the fourth on a 2-yard run.
Vanderbilt took its first drive 9 performs and 73 yards to the tip zone, ending with Pavia’s 18-yard TD go to Alexander on the 9:33 mark.
South Carolina answered with a game-tying scoring drive, as Rahsul Faison’s 7-yard rush knotted the rating with 5:58 remaining.
After a Vanderbilt punt, Sellers was picked off by Zaylin Wooden on the Commodores’ 12-yard line.
Following punts from each groups, Vanderbilt strung collectively a 12-play, 76-yard drive, capped with Pavia’s 5-yard landing go to Junior Sherill with 1:56 left within the first half to make it 14-7.
Mason Love missed a 52-yard discipline purpose on the Gamecocks’ ensuing possession. Through the drive, Sellers was hit by Patterson — who was ejected for concentrating on on the play — ending the South Carolina quarterback’s night time.
–Discipline Degree Media
