Vanderbilt dominates Tennessee to secure historic 10-win season

Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

By Chris Marler

Vanderbilt blows out Tennessee

In the most anticipated game in series history, Vanderbilt beat Tennessee 45-24.

THE STORY

Diego Pavia told all of us what Vanderbilt was going to do this season.

I laughed. You laughed. We all laughed.

Pavia didn’t laugh. Pavia was loud, brash and obnoxiously arrogant at times this season, according to some SEC fans. But, he was also right.

Vanderbilt went to Knoxville, and the ‘Dores blew the doors off of Tennessee in their own stadium.

A late touchdown with :12 seconds left made it 21-21 right before the half. Then, Vanderbilt did what all good teams do and made halftime adjustments. Vanderbilt outscored Tennessee by 21 points in the second half and ran away with the game.

Pavia had his final campaign for a trip to New York and the Heisman trophy ceremony with a 433 yard game and two touchdowns. Despite throwing two interceptions and losing the turnover battle -2, Vanderbilt was still the dominant team, especially on offense.

They finished with 582 yards off offense, 200 more than Tennessee did. The Commodores also ran all over Tennessee averaging 8.5 yards a carry and finishing with 314 yards on the ground.

Vanderbilt finished the regular season at 10-2. It’s the first ten win season in program history. Now they await the committee’s decision on whether or not they make the College Football Playoff after suffering two losses all year to Texas and Alabama.

THE STATS

3 – This was the third consecutive game that Vanderbilt put up over 500 yards of offense, and did so against three SEC teams in Kentucky, Auburn and Tennessee.

4 – This was Vanderbilt’s fourth win in Knoxville in the last 50 years.

1 – Not only was this the first 10 win season for Vanderbilt in history, but they were the last Power 4 team in college football to accomplish the feat.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Vanderbilt is 10-2. In football.

They’re the final Power 4 program to achieve a 10-win season. 🥹 pic.twitter.com/ophBO3Ts1i

— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) November 30, 2025

There’s a substantial cloud of cigar smoke in Vanderbilt’s locker room.

— David Ubben (@davidubben) November 30, 2025

If we’re giving out the Heisman Trophy to the MOST VALUABLE PLAYER in College Football, Diego Pavia is the only answer.

Where is Vanderbilt without No. 2? And he’s changed the future of the program and lived up to every promise.

He delivered. He’s earned it.

And I never say… pic.twitter.com/suokR14vbp

— Cole Thompson (@MrColeThompson) November 29, 2025

Diego Pavia’s fina statline in Vanderbilt’s 45-24 blowout over Tennessee:

– 18-for-28 | 64.3%
– 268 passing yards
– 20 carries
– 165 rushing yards
– 2 total touchdowns

If 433 total yards isn’t a Heisman-worthy performance, I’m not sure what is.pic.twitter.com/IiS3DvtHhJ

— Tristan Rutman (@tristanrutman1) November 30, 2025