IMG 0689 scaled e1735350823960 Vandy star Diego Pavia shines in win over Georgia Tech in heated Birmingham Bowl — Vanderbilt is awarded the Birmingham Bowl trophy after their 35-27 victory over Georgia Tech. (Pat Byington / Bham Now)

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia capped off a season in which he defeated both Alabama and Auburn with a victory in Birmingham.

In leading the Vanderbilt Commodores to a Birmingham Bowl victory over Georgia Tech, Pavia earned MVP honors after passing for 160 yards and 3 touchdowns while also rushing for 84 yards and another two touchdowns. The performance was tied for the second-most touchdowns for a single player in Birmingham Bowl history.

“I don’t know that there was a more perfect person to quarterback this team. We’re a chip-on-the-shoulder program.”
– Clark Lea, Vanderbilt head coach

The win gives Vanderbilt its first win in a bowl game since the 2013 season, an exceedingly rare feat for a program that has historically struggled to keep up with its larger and more well-funded rivals in the Southeastern Conference. Pavia told reporters after the game that he believes it marks a sea change in the way Vanderbilt should be perceived when it comes to the college football food chain.

“I hate losing more than I like winning. I don’t mean this to sound cocky but I will never have a losing season. I told my coaches that when I walked in today. Whatever I have to do to keep winning, I’ll do it.”
– Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt quarterback

Lightning delays game in the 4th quarter

DSC09700 e1735343808753 Vandy star Diego Pavia shines in win over Georgia Tech in heated Birmingham Bowl — Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown at the Birmingham Bowl. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

The game faced delays of nearly an hour due to lightning but despite the weather, the game drew a solid crowd of over 38,000, with Georgia Tech fans making up a significant and very vocal majority of that crowd. The Yellowjackets kept things close in the fourth quarter thanks to an impressive performance from quarterback Haynes King, who passed for 204 yards and three touchdowns.

Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key said that while he was disappointed with the result of the game, the Birmingham Bowl was a positive experience for his team.

“It’s special any time you get to go out and play a 13th game with your team. Thanks to the city of Birmingham for hosting us and thanks to the Birmingham Bowl for hosting us. We had a great experience here.”
Brent Key, Georgia Tech head coach

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