Vanderbilt Football is riding high after defeating Alcorn State 55-0 for its second-straight win and first shutout since 2019. Diego Pavia and Co. put on a show this Family Weekend, introducing exciting trick plays while electrifying the student section with a punt return and pick six. Vanderbilt has now won its first two games in three consecutive seasons for the first time since the 1940s.
Alcorn State couldn’t get anything moving offensively on Saturday, putting up only 71 offensive yards compared to Vanderbilt’s 342. The last time the Commodores held their opponent to under 100 yards was in 2003 against Chattanooga.
This season, Vanderbilt’s students have packed FirstBank Stadium, even temporarily causing staff to stop allowing students into the student section due to capacity limits. The Black and Gold will be in a different environment when they hit the road to face Georgia State in Atlanta, where there won’t be fireworks or a student section to back them up.
The Commodores play another winnable game this Saturday, but over the last five years, winning on the road hasn’t been their strong suit. Since 2019, Vanderbilt owns a dismal 4-22 away record. To improve that record and win its third straight, Vanderbilt must focus its attention on these three matchups.
Vanderbilt’s defensive line vs. Georgia State’s running backs
Vanderbilt’s offense has shone so far, averaging 44.5 points per game while introducing a variety of unique plays that have kept opposing defenses on their toes. Scoring won’t be the deciding factor against Georgia State, though, because the Panthers also flex a potent offense. This means that the Commodores’ defense will likely need to step up. This season, Georgia State has utilized its running game to perfection, as its primary back, Freddie Block, is averaging 5.6 yards per carry. The Panthers have various running backs that could do damage, even to Vanderbilt’s revamped defensive line.
Head coach Clark Lea took over defensive coordinator responsibilities this year, and under him, even Virginia Tech, ranked in the top 50 in FBS for most offensive categories, couldn’t rush the ball well. After leading the team in tackles and tackles-for-loss in 2023, linebacker Langston Patterson has continued his success, starting 2024 season with 10 tackles against Virginia Tech. The defensive line crushed opposing quarterback Kyron Drones whenever he tried to rush, only allowing 19 yards on 16 carries. Although Panther quarterback Christian Veilleux doesn’t rush as much, Vanderbilt’s front seven must continue to stop the run. If the Commodores can continue their defensive success from their first two outings this season, they will help the offense build momentum and capture another victory.
Passing game vs. Georgia State secondary
Vanderbilt has gotten off to an impressive 2-0 start, but that has been primarily due to its run game, as the Commodores have an average of only 15 pass attempts and 145 passing yards per game. As SEC play approaches, the passing attack will need to step up to keep up with fast-tempo teams like Missouri and Texas. The Commodores’ run-heavy offense will struggle if they are stuck playing from behind, and this might be an opportunity for Pavia to get into a passing rhythm before tougher conference matchups. Pavia has been accurate so far, boasting a 76.7% completion rate, but it is yet to be seen how he will fare when throwing the ball more than 20 times a game.
Despite Georgia State’s lackluster defensive numbers so far — 807 yards allowed in two games, including 499 against Georgia Tech — its secondary has been able to force turnovers. The Panthers brought in one interception in their loss to Georgia Tech and two more in their narrow win over Chattanooga. The defense has been headlined by veteran defensive back Gavin Pringle, who totaled two pass defenses and an interception through the first two games. Another player to watch out for is safety Jeremiah Johnson, who earned an All-Sun Belt Conference honorable mention and was involved in five turnovers in the 2023 season. While offensive coordinator Tim Beck might not have to air it out to win this game, Georgia State’s secondary is still something to keep an eye on during passing downs.
Vanderbilt’s red-hot offense vs. Georgia State’s red zone defense
Georgia State might be 1-1, but looking at its defensive stats, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that it should be worse off. Through two games, opponents have totaled 407.5 yards per game (103rd in FBS), 8 total touchdowns (114th) and a whopping 7.02 yards per play average (127th) against the Panthers. Their defense has especially struggled in the red zone where they are without a stop, giving up three rushing touchdowns and two passing touchdowns on five red zone possessions. Considering Georgia State’s offense is only averaging 18 points per game this season, its defense needs to step up if it wants to slow down the Commodores’ red-hot offense.
After two wins at the helm, Pavia seems completely at home in Beck’s offense, with 4 total touchdowns and 428 total yards. He’s built great chemistry with veteran wide receiver Quincy Skinner Jr., who totaled 4 catches for 72 yards and a spectacular touchdown in Week One. In addition, running back Sedrick Alexander has racked up 123 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns, contributing heavily to the ‘Dores’ success in the ground game. This has resulted in great red zone production for the Commodores, with eight touchdowns and two field goals on 10 red zone visits. Vanderbilt sits 11th in FBS in red zone scores, demonstrating its lethal ability to finish off drives. If Vanderbilt can move the ball down the field, Georgia State might have a hard time keeping Pavia from running up the scoreboard.
Vanderbilt is set to clash with Georgia State on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. CDT at Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta.
