Rapid Reaction: Vanderbilt outlasts new-look Auburn in overtime
By Chris Wright
Published:
Auburn had not given up more than 24 points through its first 9 games. But the Tiger offense also cratered in recent weeks, scoring more than 20 points in just 1 of its previous 6 games.
The school fired Hugh Freeze and then flipped into the Upside Down. With Ashton Daniels at quarterback, the offense found life while the defense lost its footing.
Vanderbilt took full advantage. The 16th-ranked Commodores needed overtime, but they were able to outlast the new-look Tigers for a 45-38 win.
The ‘Dores got a stop on fourth-and-7 in overtime to end the game.
Vandy quarterback Diego Pavia threw for a career-best 377 yards and 3 scores. He also ran for 112 yards and another touchdown — the best rushing game for Pavia since joining the Commodores.
Vanderbilt trailed 7-0 after the first quarter and fell down 20-10 at the halftime break. It was a 30-24 game going to the fourth but back-to-back touchdown drives to begin the fourth from Vandy flipped the game.
Auburn tied the game with a touchdown and 2-point conversion to Cam Coleman with 5:27 remaining in regulation. Vanderbilt had a chance to take the lead in the closing minutes but instead of attempting a field goal, Pavia was stuffed on a fourth-and-1 run.
That momentum didn’t sustain for Auburn, which stalled out on its final drive of regulation and then gave up a quick, 3-play score to Vandy to open the overtime period. The ‘Dores held on 3 straight plays to end the game once Auburn took over.
Auburn outgained Vandy in the game 563-544, but Vandy was better on a per-play basis. The Auburn defense, which had been stout all year, gave up 7.9 yards per play.
The Tigers (4-6, 1-6 SEC) need to win out to avoid consecutive seasons without a bowl game appearance. The last time Auburn missed out on a bowl in back-to-back seasons was 1998-99. Auburn has a bye week before hosting Mercer and Alabama to close the year.
Vanderbilt (8-2, 4-2 SEC) remains very much alive in the College Football Playoff discussion. The Commodores host Kentucky on Nov. 22 and then travel to Knoxville on Nov. 29. Beating the Wildcats could set up the regular-season finale against Tennessee as a CFP play-in game.
No. 16 Vanderbilt 45, Auburn 38
Here’s the Vanderbilt-Auburn box score (use the dropdown menu to select team or player stats), followed by the complete play-by-play:
Diego Pavia vs Ashton Daniels
Did Vandy quarterback Diego Pavia help his Heisman odds Saturday? Here’s a statistical breakdown of how Pavia performed against Auburn’s Ashton Daniels:
Managing Editor
A 30-time APSE award-winning editor with previous stints at the Miami Herald, The Indianapolis Star and News & Observer, Executive Editor Chris Wright oversees editorial operations for Saturday Down South.
