Well, well, well. A week after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs and claiming the top spot in the AP poll, the Alabama Crimson Tide were looking for an easy victory over the non-ranked Vanderbilt Commodores. Instead, the Commodores caught fire, stunningly beating Alabama 40-35.
The Vanderbilt offense was ultra-efficient in this one, gaining 418 yards and 26 first downs with no turnovers. Diego Pavia threw for 252 passing yards and two touchdowns on just 20 attempts.
Overall, though, it was the running game that piloted the offense, with 166 yards on a whopping 54 attempts. While that amounts to just 3.1 yards per attempt, it was absolutely crucial in Vanderbilt winning the time of possession battle. Overall, the Commodores earned 42 minutes of possession in this one.
Alabama tried to keep pace with them offensively, with Jalen Milroe throwing for 312 yards on 25 attempts, but a pick-six in the first quarter and a fumble late in the 4th sealed the loss.
This is the first time Vanderbilt has beaten a top five team, and the first time they’ve beaten Alabama in 23 years.
Here are some of the best college football fan reactions to the upset loss:
Down goes Bama. Unreal. pic.twitter.com/0Pu3GJSByf
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 5, 2024
Alabama just lost to Vanderbilt after giving up 40 points!!
This is why @TexasFootball should’ve stayed the #1 team in the Nation. pic.twitter.com/NnNEiCzgj9
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) October 5, 2024
MY SCHOOL VANDERBILT JUST PULLED OFF THE GREATEST UPSET I’VE EVERY ROOTED FOR IN MY LIFETIME: VANDERBILT 40, NO. 1 ALABAMA 35. THANK YOU, DIEGO PAVIA. THANK YOU, CLARK LEA. THANK YOU, COMMODORES FOOTBALL TEAM. #ANCHORDOWN
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) October 5, 2024
This guy can finally rest knowing Vanderbilt beat Alabama pic.twitter.com/5yrnpRO0TK
— Barstool LSU (@LSUBarstool) October 5, 2024
Diego Pavia was a 2-star recruit coming out of high school.
The QB chose to play for his home school New Mexico State, then followed OC Tim Beck to Vanderbilt.
He just led VANDY to TAKE DOWN #1 ALABAMA, 40-35. pic.twitter.com/g9ZNJSoxuz
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) October 5, 2024
Vanderbilt’s QB Diego Pavia with the most legendary post-game interview ever after beating #1 Alabama pic.twitter.com/gsIU34HHWJ
— FleaFlickerrFootball (@fleaflickerr) October 5, 2024
If Alabama loses to Vanderbilt I will hitchhike from Alabama to Oregon
— Hayden Jones (@haydenjonez11) October 3, 2024
Georgia Southern beat Georgia State
Georgia State beat Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt beat Alabama
Alabama beat us
Is Georgia Southern the best team in the country?
— Barstool UGA (@ugabarstool) October 5, 2024
