Vanderbilt faced its first true test on the road against Virginia Tech, coming off a blowout win over Charleston Southern to start its season. The Commodores responded with a 44-20 statement victory in the hostile environment of Lane Stadium.
The game was far from flawless. Penalties and turnovers put Vanderbilt in an early hole, and the Commodores trailed by double digits at halftime. But sharp play-calling on both sides of the ball fueled a dominant second-half performance, as Vanderbilt shut out the Hokies the rest of the way.
The win showcased the depth of Vanderbilt’s roster, with multiple players delivering breakout performances that were reflected in the box score.
Exit light
Vanderbilt often jumped out to early leads last season. In their key wins over Virginia Tech, Alabama and Georgia Tech, the Commodores struck first on the scoreboard. This week, though, they found themselves in unfamiliar territory, trailing 10-0 at the end of the first quarter.
The offense found its rhythm in the second quarter, but costly turnovers gave Virginia Tech extra chances. At halftime, the Hokies held a 20-10 lead. Quarterback Kyron Drones torched the Commodores’ defense in the opening half, as the Hokies piled up 240 yards of offense and Drones scored two touchdowns — one through the air and one on the ground.
Vanderbilt defensive coordinator Steve Gregory turned up the pressure in the second half. His aggressive scheme shut down Virginia Tech’s offense, holding the Hokies to just eight total yards after halftime. With rushers constantly in Drones’ face, Virginia Tech’s offense stalled.
The Commodores recorded three sacks in the second half after failing to record one in the first. Senior edge rusher Miles Capers dominated the Hokies’ offensive line, deflecting a pass and generating three quarterback hurries. Safety C.J. Heard, a transfer from Florida Atlantic, was just as impactful, finishing with four solo tackles — including a momentum-shifting 16-yard sack in the fourth quarter.
Enter night
Virginia Tech’s Lane Stadium is one of the hardest places to play in college football. Kicking every game off with Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” is a classic tradition that excites the entire Hokie fanbase. The music, combined with the excitement of a night game, made the Virginia Tech crowd especially hostile for Vanderbilt.
The crowd’s impact was evident. The Commodores committed 11 penalties for 77 yards, 23 yards above their 2024 average. The offensive line was repeatedly flagged for false starts, while the defense struggled to stay disciplined against Virginia Tech’s hard count.
Quarterback Diego Pavia also felt the pressure. In the first quarter, he forced a deep ball into double coverage that resulted in an interception. As the game wore on, Pavia and the Commodores settled in, tuning out the noise from 66,233 fans to power an explosive 34-point second half.
While the Commodores overcame their miscues in Blacksburg, their penalty issues so far this season are worth noting as they move forward into SEC play.
Take my hand(off)
Vanderbilt’s run game was critical to its victory against the Hokies. As offensive coordinator Tim Beck loves to run option and trick plays, it was expected that the Commodores’ ground presence would be felt. The team dominated in this category, rushing for 262 yards and averaging 7.1 yards per carry.
While Pavia had impactful carries, the running back duo of Sedrick Alexander and Makhilyn Young was outstanding. With the help of great blocking that didn’t allow a sack all night, Alexander had 73 yards and reached the end zone twice. Young had 95 yards and a touchdown that included a breakaway 62-yard rush that essentially sealed the win for the Commodores.
Off to never-never land
Neverland is home to the Lost Boys and their leader, Peter Pan. Like the famed Disney character, Pavia is fearless, daring and charismatic. Just as Pan delights in his bouts against the Neverland pirates, Pavia thrived in Vanderbilt’s fight against the Hokies, especially when it seemed like the team had its back against the wall early in the game.
West End’s pride and joy threw for 193 yards and 2 touchdowns, completing 12 of his 18 passes. He took risks, throwing to his targets in tight matchups. Specifically, Pavia torched Virginia Tech’s secondary on fade routes, including an epic scoring toss to Tre Richardson at the end of the third quarter. Pavia also ran for an efficient 61 yards on 11 carries.
Beyond the stat sheet, Pavia’s leadership energized his teammates and had Vanderbilt fans screaming with glee while watching the game. While some may criticize his media presence as childish, Pavia embodies the Peter Pan spirit of “never growing up,” and without his imaginative playstyle and personality, wins like this one would not be possible for the Commodores.
After taking down the Sandman, Vanderbilt Football will next look to defeat the Sandstorm, as it travels to Columbia, South Carolina, to face the South Carolina Gamecocks on Sept. 13 at 6:45 p.m. CDT.
