NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Diego Pavia scored on a 4-yard touchdown run in overtime as Vanderbilt upset Virginia Tech 34-27 on Saturday in the season opener for both teams with the Commodores rallying after blowing a 17-point lead.
The graduate transfer from New Mexico State and the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year needed four plays to put the Commodores ahead in overtime. He finished rushing for 104 yards and threw for 190 yards.
"People wanted me, but it was never Power Five, and I just feel like I'm the best player in the country and I'm here to show it," Pavia said. "That's what I want to do week in, week out. Whatever it takes to win."
It was the first overtime win for Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea at his alma mater and the program's first since beating Mississippi on Nov. 17, 2018. Coming in a stadium still under construction in its first major renovation since 1981, Lea said the Commodores are on the road to change.
"As far as the game goes, look that was the full catastrophe," Lea said. "I mean, it had everything that you could ever want as a coach and some that you don't want. But, I don't know that the script could be written differently for our program."
Virginia Tech tried switching up quarterbacks in its try in overtime with Kyron Drones cramping up on a sweltering day after throwing for 322 yards and two touchdowns.
"He just ran out of gas at the end," Virginia coach Brent Pry said.
So Collin Schlee came in with Drones coming in to pick up 2 yards on a run. Then Schlee was sacked on third down. His throw to Da'Quan Felton went out of the back of the end zone, starting a big celebration by Vanderbilt.
Pavia nearly won the game in regulation. After Virginia Tech took its only lead at 27-20 with 4:12 left, he capped a 70-yard drive with an 8-yard TD pass to Sedrick Alexander with 1:51 left. He set up Brock Taylor for the potential game-winning 43-yard field goal that missed wide right, sending the game into overtime.
He helped Vanderbilt stun the Hokies, who not only came in favored by 13 1/2 points looking to build on the momentum from winning the Military Bowl last December to go 7-6. Pry called it a humbling loss after an offseason filled with expectations.
"Maybe we needed some of that," Pry said.
Virginia Tech outgained Vanderbilt 397-371, but Vanderbilt played keepaway holding the ball for more than 34 minutes.
Coach Clark Lea not only lured Pavia from New Mexico State. He also hired Jerry Kill as his chief consultant and senior offensive coach along with bringing offensive coordinator Tim Beck to Music City.
Vanderbilt sold out this game with its south end zone closed to fans while under construction, though enough Hokies' faithful filled the stands to make it feel like a Virginia Tech home game.
The takeaway
Pry was co-defensive coordinator at Vanderbilt during the Commodores' best three-year period in decades as they made three straight bowls and won nine games in back-to-back seasons between 2011 and 2013. The Hokies had all 11 starters back on offense and 19 of 22 overall.
Lea made so many changes on his coaching staff with essentially importing the key pieces of a New Mexico State squad that won 10 games last season. Lea also took over coordinating the defense, which came up with four sacks and an early interception to set up the Dores' first TD.
Costly penalty
Vanderbilt might not have had a chance at overtime if not for a costly penalty in the third quarter. The Hokies forced Vandy into a delay of game penalty with Taylor missing a 54-yard field goal only to then draw a penalty with a pair of Hokies wearing the same No. 0 on Vanderbilt's punt.
That allowed Taylor another shot with the ball moved a little closer, and he made the 53-yarder for a 20-10 lead. Pry took the blame for that, saying after the game he should've taken a timeout.
