Pavia, Vanderbilt Drop Auburn in Jordan-Hare

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The Auburn Tigers (3-6, 1-5 Southeastern Conference) fell to the Vanderbilt Commodores (6-3, 2-2) 17-7 on Nov. 2 in Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. It was Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia's second victory on The Plains in as many years after Pavia's New Mexico State Aggies (2-6, 1-4 Conference USA) downed the Tigers 31-10 in 2023. And after a sluggish display of offense by both teams for much of the game, Pavia led a 14-play, 78-yard drive late in the fourth quarter that resulted in the game-sealing touchdown.

Game Summary

If it was a defensive slugfest, it was an offensive tickle fight. Both teams struggled to move the ball on the ground and convert third downs. Vanderbilt averaged 2.2 yards per carry and was 4-of-16 on third down. Auburn averaged 3 yards per carry and converted on 2-of-13 third downs. Auburn's special teams woes continued in this game. Tigers' freshman kicker Townes McGough missed two field goals, and in the third quarter, Auburn punted from their end zone and Vanderbilt's Martel Hight returned the kick 39 yards to set up an eventual Vandy field goal that put the Commodores up 10-7.

The offenses remained stagnant until Pavia and the 'Dores went on a 14-play, 78-yard drive in the fourth quarter. That drive ate almost nine minutes off the clock. The Auburn defense held and forced Vandy to kick a field goal, but a penalty gave the Commodores a first down. Pavia completed a pass to tight end Eli Stowers to put Vandy up 17-7. Auburn would have two other opportunities in the final four minutes of the game, but one possession ended in a missed field goal, and the other a fumble.

Play of the Game

After the 78-yard drive for Vanderbilt, Auburn held the Commodores to a field goal attempt that would have made the score 13-7 Vandy. Auburn defensive end Keldric Faulk drew a penalty for leaping over the line in an attempt to block the kick. The penalty gave Vandy a first down and resulted in a Vanderbilt touchdown.

Had the penalty not happened, Auburn would have gotten the ball back down by six with a little over four minutes left in the game. After the way the Tigers' offense had played up till that point, there's no saying that they would have been able to score, regardless of the point differential, but the flag and ensuing touchdown deflated the Tigers.

Looking Ahead: Vanderbilt

With the win over Auburn, Vandy is bowl-eligible for the first time since 2018. But that's not the only goal the Commodores have. With three consecutive conference games to close out the season, and plenty of football left for teams in front of them to fall, Vandy is still gunning for a chance at an SEC Championship appearance and a potential spot in the College Football Playoff. It won't be an easy road, and it starts in Week 11 with a visit from the South Carolina Gamecocks (4-3, 2-3).

Looking Ahead: Auburn

It was another disappointing loss in disappointing fashion. The loss to Vandy all but guarantees the Tigers will not be going bowling in 2024. Auburn gets a bye week to lick their wounds in Week 11 and will have to win their final three games to become bowl-eligible. A visit from No. 10 Texas A&M (7-1, 5-0) and a trip to No. 14 Alabama (6-2, 3-2) leaves the Tigers' bowl chances unlikely.