Vanderbilt holds on to beat Mizzou, clinches best start since 1941
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
No. 10 Vanderbilt escaped with a 17-10 victory vs. visiting No. 15 Missouri to clinch a 7-1 start for the 2025 season. The game ended dramatically with a Hail Mary completion from Missouri quarterback Matt Zollers to Kevin Coleman Jr. that came up less than a yard short from the end zone.
This is Vanderbilt’s best start to a season since going 8-1 in 1941.
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia rushed for the game-winning 1-yard touchdown with 1:52 remaining to cap off a 9-play, 44-yard drive. This came after Missouri tied the game at 10 on a 6-yard touchdown pass from Zollers to tight end Jude James with 12:49 left.
MK Young had an explosive 80-yard rushing touchdown to give Vanderbilt a 10-3 lead with 3:51 to go in the third quarter. Vanderbilt won despite having 111 fewer yards and roughly 13 less minutes in time of possession than Missouri. Both teams finished with 8 penalties (Missouri 88 yards, Vanderbilt 83 yards).
Bryan Longwell led Vanderbilt with 13 tackles. Pavia completed 10 of his 19 passes for 129 yards and an interception.
Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy rushed for a game-high 97 yards.
