Diego Pavia battles through doubts in final college game despite loss

Christian Standal

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Diego Pavia battles through doubts in final college game despite loss image

Diego Pavia’s final college football game got off to a shaky start, raising frustration among Vanderbilt fans early in the ReliaQuest Bowl. But as the game went on, the quarterback settled in and delivered one of his best performances, finishing with strong numbers despite the Commodores’ 34–27 loss to Iowa at Raymond James Stadium. Pavia’s second-half surge helped keep Vanderbilt within striking distance until the final moments.

Vanderbilt entered the bowl game ranked No. 14 and faced No. 23 Iowa, setting up a matchup that looked favorable for the Commodores on paper. However, Iowa proved tough all afternoon, capitalizing on key moments and doing just enough to hold off a late Vanderbilt rally.

Iowa built an early lead and went up 21–3 in the third quarter after a 21-yard touchdown pass to DJ Vonnahme. From there, the Hawkeyes leaned on a balanced attack, scoring two rushing touchdowns and another receiving score to keep pressure on Vanderbilt’s defense.

Diego Pavia had fans frustrated during the first half, leading to questions about his NFL Draft projection. By halftime, that frustration was loud, but it quickly faded once he found his rhythm after the break.

 

 

 

That’s when Pavia and the Commodores came alive. Vanderbilt’s offense finally found its rhythm when Pavia connected with Tre Richardson on a 75-yard touchdown pass, cutting into Iowa’s lead and shifting the momentum. Pavia later added an 11-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to keep Vanderbilt within striking distance.

 

Despite the loss, Pavia finished the day with strong stats. He completed 25 of 38 passes for 347 yards and two passing touchdowns, while also leading Vanderbilt in rushing with 36 yards on 15 carries and a rushing score. His performance helped Vanderbilt score 24 points in the second half and stay competitive until the final minutes.

 

Penalties played a costly role for the Commodores. Vanderbilt was flagged 10 times for 53 yards, stalling drives and making it harder to complete the comeback. Both teams also kicked two field goals each in what turned into a back-and-forth battle throughout the second half.

From an NFL perspective, Pavia showed exactly why scouts respect his toughness and competitiveness. One concern has been his arm strength on deep throws, and while he missed a few shots downfield, he also delivered several big-time passes, including the 75-yard touchdown that sparked the rally. His ability to throw on the run and extend plays frustrated Iowa’s defense all game.

Most NFL scouts currently view Pavia as a priority free agent, but his performance in the bowl game could help his stock. A team may take a chance on him in the later rounds, betting on his leadership, grit, and willingness to fight until the final whistle.

Pavia has said that 2025 will be his final season, despite an ongoing eligibility lawsuit that could impact 2026. If this truly was his last college game, it was a fitting ending. Even in defeat, Diego Pavia went down swinging, leaving everything on the field and reminding everyone why he has been the heart of Vanderbilt football.

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Editorial Team