Behind a record-setting performance from quarterback Diego Pavia, No. 14 Vanderbilt rolled Kentucky for a 45-17 win and officially set the stage for a magical regular-season finale.
Pavia completed 33 of his 39 pass attempts for 484 yards and 5 touchdowns. He also ran 15 times for 48 yards and a sixth score. On Senior Day, Pavia broke the school record for passing yards in a single game. That record was previously held by Whit Taylor (464 in 1981) and stood for more than 40 years.
He also tied the school record for touchdown passes in a game.
Vandy had just a 3-point lead after 15 minutes. Neither side did much in an opening frame that was more about feeling each other out. The ‘Dores averaged 4.9 yards per play. Kentucky averaged 2.8 yards per play.
In the second and third quarters, the ‘Dores exploded.
They scored 3 touchdowns in the second to take a 24-3 lead into the locker room at the break. Pavia completed 13 of his 16 passes for 243 yards in the frame. He had touchdown throws of 71 and 56 yards.
Then, in the third quarter, Vandy outscored Kentucky 21-0 as Pavia completed 13 of his 14 pass attempts for another 169 yards.
In the second and third quarters, Vanderbilt compiled 449 yards of offense. Kentucky gained 80 total yards. It had 9 rushing attempts and lost 2 yards.
Kentucky’s offense found life in the fourth quarter, but garbage-time scores did little to change the complexion of the game.
Zach Calzada came in for Cutter Boley at quarterback in the second quarter, and it was more of a disaster than his money-counting video that went viral. He threw 5 times, completed 3 passes for 4 yards, and was picked off. Boley completed 26 of his 44 passes for 280 yards, 2 scores, and 2 picks.
The victory moved Vanderbilt to 9-2 on the season. It is 5-2 in SEC play. On deck? Tennessee in Knoxville. And boy, oh boy, are the stakes sky-high for that game.
Vanderbilt has never won 10 games in a single season in program history. It has never won 6 conference games in a single season. A win over the Vols might also be enough to push the ‘Dores into the College Football Playoff conversation.
Kickoff next Saturday is set for 3:30 p.m. ET.
Kentucky must now beat rival Louisville in Week 14 to become bowl eligible and avoid what would be the first multi-season streak without a bowl appearance under Mark Stoops since the 2013-15 stretch to begin his tenure.
No. 14 Vanderbilt 45, Kentucky 17
Vandy quarterback Diego Pavia entered the game among the top-10 betting favorites in the Heisman race. Here’s the complete box score (use the dropdown menu to select team or player stats, including Pavia’s), followed by the complete play-by-play:
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
