BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Vanderbilt Commodores clinched their first winning season since 2013 with a thrilling 35-27 victory against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at the Birmingham Bowl on December 29, 2023. The matchup showcased stellar performances, especially from Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, who was instrumental in the team's turnaround from last season.
Pavia, the newly crowned MVP of the game, was relentless, throwing three touchdown passes and running for two more. This culminated in a 160-yard passing and 84-yard rushing performance over 17 carries, marking him as the driving force behind the Commodores’ success. His agility and determination led to key plays, including a pivotal 7-yard touchdown pass to Quincy Skinner Jr. and a 6-yard scoring run late in the game.
The victory, which ended Vanderbilt’s string of unfortunate seasons, brings closure to their past struggles, highlighted by last year’s disheartening 2-10 record. Coach Clark Lea's reengineering of the team now seems to be paying dividends, with Pavia expressing confidence and commitment to return for the next season.
“Diego Pavia threw three touchdown passes and ran for two more scores and Vanderbilt secured its first winning season since 2013 with a 35-27 victory over Georgia Tech on Friday in the Birmingham Bowl,” reported the Associated Press.
Vanderbilt took control of the matchup during the closing minutes of the third quarter, going up 21-13 on Pavia's 3-yard touchdown pass to Eli Stowers. The Commodores’ offense thrived during this period, executing plays effectively amid rising tensions. This was particularly evident when Georgia Tech's coach Brent Key was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after contesting the referees’ non-call on what he perceived as interference.
Despite Georgia Tech's heavy penalties—eight for 90 yards—that gave Vanderbilt advantageous opportunities, the Yellow Jackets attempted to claw back under the leadership of quarterback Haynes King. King demonstrated resilience, completing 25 of 33 passes for 204 yards, three touchdowns, and leading the team to two late touchdowns. Both scoring strikes brought Tech within eight points, showcasing his capability to spark the offense when it mattered most.
Vandy's defensive unit had its moments; they capitalized on King’s only interception of the season, which CJ Taylor returned to the 11-yard line and led to another Commodore touchdown.
Vanderbilt's strategic play coupled with Georgia Tech's indiscipline fanned the flames for frustration, particularly when Pavia received his day’s dose of drama, picking up his own unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after tossing the ball to fans. Still, he shook it off to connect for another touchdown before sealing the game.
Georgia Tech narrowly faltered, with their last-ditch efforts ending unsatisfactorily; their onside kick attempt failed, going out of bounds. The Yellow Jackets, familiar with winning against Vanderbilt, entered the game as 2.5-point favorites and were expected to continue their dominance, having claimed victory over their rivals since 1941.
This historic rivalry, dating back to 1924 with the awarding of the traveling cowbell trophy, has tilted heavily toward Georgia Tech, who had previously won 12 of the last 13 contests. Coach Key and his squad are left reflecting on what went awry, particularly during this bowl game where they let slip what could have been another chapter of victory.
Looking forward, both teams are enthusiastic about next season. With their key players returning, Vanderbilt's outlook is bright. Pavia's return was assured when his eligibility was confirmed pending NCAA appeal, allowing him to continue his promising career at Vandy.
Conversely, Georgia Tech will also seek to regroup and find its footing as they move beyond this season's challenges. The season's concluding game illuminated strengths and weaknesses, providing learning curves as both programs turn their eyes toward future opportunities and rivalries.
With Vanderbilt’s 35-27 win at the Birmingham Bowl, the momentum shift could signify the start of another competitive era for the Commodores.
