Vanderbilt Football shocked the nation on Saturday with a 40-35 victory over Alabama — a nearly untouchable team for over a decade — in one of the most stunning upsets in college football history. The Commodores’ triumph wasn’t just a surprise to the college football landscape; it was a coaching masterclass. Head coach Clark Lea and his staff produced a data-defying performance that shattered all expectations.
Vanderbilt’s recent track record against the Crimson Tide has been marked by constant struggle, having managed just 13 points in its last four matchups with Alabama. Alabama amassed a 57-game winning streak against unranked opponents during former head coach Nick Saban’s legendary tenure, dating back to 2007. This just further proves the magnitude of Vanderbilt’s victory.
Last Saturday was different. Vanderbilt scored the first 13 points of the game — matching its total from the teams’ past four matchups and building a lead that eventually swelled up to 16 points. Vanderbilt’s offense came alive, executing a game plan that kept Alabama on its heels. The Commodores’ defense forced crucial turnovers and limited the Crimson Tide’s explosive plays, disrupting its rhythm from the start. Vanderbilt’s offense, led by Diego Pavia and Eli Stowers, came up clutch at all junctions of the game. Holistically, the Commodores produced a performance for the ages. Let’s break down the numbers that allowed Vanderbilt to pull off this feat.
Controlling the clock
Vanderbilt's victory over Alabama was a masterclass in strategic ball control and maximizing opportunities despite differences in yardage efficiency. Alabama averaged 8.6 yards per play compared to Vanderbilt's 5.6, but the Commodores dominated time of possession. Vanderbilt held the ball for 42:08, compared to Alabama’s 17:52, and ran 29 more plays than the Crimson Tide, highlighting control of the game's rhythm and minimization of Alabama’s chances. Keeping the ball out of Jalen Milroe’s hands was Lea’s key to success, and the Black and Gold executed it to a tee. This approach is consistent with the rest of Vanderbilt's games this season.
In its victories over Virginia Tech and Alcorn State, Vanderbilt held the ball for the majority of the game, for 34:32 and 31:03, respectively. This extended ball control led to offensive success, whereas its losses to Georgia State and Missouri occurred when it failed to hold possession for more than half the game.
Similarly, Vanderbilt matched or outpaced Virginia Tech and Alcorn State in the number of plays run. The Commodores' advantage was even more pronounced against the Crimson Tide, keeping Alabama's explosive offense off the field.
Pavia was a standout performer on the offensive side of the ball, outplaying Milroe — a Heisman Trophy candidate — by completing 16 of 21 passes for 252 yards and 2 touchdowns while rushing for an additional 56 yards. His execution of a slow-churning offense with clutch third-down conversions (12-for-18 on the day) kept drives alive and allowed Vanderbilt to wear down Alabama’s defense. Running back Sedrick Alexander’s two early touchdowns — his second time accounting for multiple scores this season — were noteworthy as well.
Disruptive defense
On the defensive side, Randon Fontenette's pick-six and Miles Capers' critical strip-sack of Milroe further stifled Alabama's offense.
Vanderbilt's dominance in the trenches was on full display against Alabama, as its defensive line consistently pressured Milroe. Nick Rinaldi sacked Milroe for a 3-yard loss, and later, Miles Capers' strip-sack led to a Yilanan Ouattara fumble recovery that gave the Commodores a whirlwind of momentum. This pressure up front continued Vanderbilt's trend of controlling the line of scrimmage this season, and it marked the second game in a row that the Commodores sacked the opposing quarterback while keeping Pavia’s pocket clean.
The combination of strong offensive execution and defensive disruption allowed Vanderbilt to capitalize on Alabama's mistakes on Saturday.
All eyes will be on the Commodores’ next matchup against Kentucky, as they look to maintain their newfound momentum in Lexington on Saturday, Oct. 12.
