They crushed South Carolina 31-7, making them 3-0 for the first time since 2017 and earning a No. 20 spot in the AP rankings.
Coach Clark Lea, who used to play at Vandy and grew up in Nashville, is turning things around big time. Saturday’s win was their first over South Carolina since 2008, and they’ve won all three games this season by 20+ points — something they haven’t done since 1930.
Fifth-year player Miles Capers said it best: “Don’t sleep on us. We’re coming for everybody.”
But they’ve got to stay focused. Last year, South Carolina beat them and it started a losing streak that almost wrecked their season. Lea said that loss stuck with him and taught the team a lesson.
Next up is Georgia State, who beat Vandy last year. This time, Vandy’s looking for payback. They’re also expected to beat Utah State the week after, but things get tougher with five Top 25 teams coming up, starting with Alabama.
Right now, their QB Diego Pavia is killing it, the run game is strong, and the defense is locking teams down. Lea summed it up: “We’re good enough to win all our games — if we play the right way.”
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Live Stats Vanderbilt v Georgia State
Link to Game Stats
SEC Losing Streak Snapped
- Vanderbilt ended its 16-game SEC skid with a commanding 31–7 road win over No. 11/10 South Carolina, its first victory over the Gamecocks since 2008.
- The Commodores shut out South Carolina in the second half for the second straight week, scoring 24 unanswered points after taking the lead in the second quarter.
- Vandy’s defense forced four turnovers—its most since October 2022—including interceptions by Zaylin Wood and Bryan Longwell, and first career forced fumbles by Bryce Cowan and Randon Fontenette.
- QB Diego Pavia threw for 177 yards and two touchdowns, marking his fourth consecutive game with multiple TD passes.
- Jamezell Lassiter and Sedrick Alexander added rushing scores.
- The win was Vanderbilt’s first road victory over an AP-ranked opponent since defeating No. 6 South Carolina in 2007.
Defensive Wins Games
- Vanderbilt ranks 18th nationally in total defense, allowing just 237 yards per game through three contests.
- The run defense is tied for 17th (82.3 ypg), while the pass defense ranks 28th (154.7 ypg) and is tied for 8th nationally with only one passing TD allowed.
- The defense recorded three sacks and seven tackles for loss.
- Bryce Cowan led with five tackles; Miles Capers posted a career-best 2.5 TFL and forced his fourth career fumble.
Nick Rinaldi: Walk-On Making a Name for Himself
- Senior LB Nick Rinaldi leads Vanderbilt with 5.0 TFL and two sacks in 2025, continuing his breakout after a 2024 season with 52 tackles, 6.0 TFL, and five sacks.
- He earned Burlsworth Trophy Walk-On of the Week honors after posting seven tackles, 2.5 TFL, and a sack in the win at South Carolina.
- Rinaldi also led the team at Virginia Tech with six tackles, 2.5 TFL, a sack, and a QB hurry—marking the first time in his career with back-to-back games of multiple TFL.
Jamezell Lassiter’s Season Start
- Sophomore walk-on Jamezell Lassiter scored on both of his first two career carries: a 44-yard TD at South Carolina and a 35-yard TD vs. Charleston Southern.
- He’s the first Commodore since at least 2002 to score on each of his first two career rushes.
- His 44-yard run is Vanderbilt’s longest rushing touchdown of the season.
