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The Vanderbilt Commodores upset the No. 1 overall Alabama Crimson Tide, 40-35, at FirstBank Stadium on Saturday (October 5), their first win against a top-ranked or top 5 team in program history.
"This isn't a finish point, but it's a hell of an arrival," Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea said after the game via ESPN's Pete Thamel. "This is the dream right here. For the next 12 hours I'm going to enjoy the dream."
Quarterback Diego Pavia, who transferred from New Mexico State after beginning his collegiate career at New Mexico Military Institute, threw for 252 yards and two touchdowns on 16 of 20 passing, as well as 56 yards on 20 rushing attempts. Pavia had previously led New Mexico State to an upset against Auburn in 2023.
Vanderbilt's victory was not only its first over the No. 1 team in the Associated Press poll, but also snapped a 23-game losing streak to Alabama. The Commodores never trailed during Saturday's game, jumping out to a 13-0 lead in the first quarter after Sedrick Alexander scored on a 7-yard run on Vanderbilt's opening possession, which was followed by a 29-yard interception touchdown returned Randon Fontenette on Alabama's first possession.
Alabama cut the deficit to 23-21 and later 30-28 in the third quarter before being outscored, 10-7, in the fourth quarter.