Diego Pavia struck a Heisman pose after one of his three touchdowns wearing No. 17. Vanderbilt 31–24 win over No. 10 LSU. This is a party move reserved only for the most elite or most confident players in the world. college football. Pavia is both. And he had his Heisman moment on Saturday.
It would be hard to find a player more important to his team's success than Pavia for Vanderbilt. The Commodores hadn't bowled in six years when he transferred from State of New Mexicoand they quickly posted a winning season in his debut campaign and suddenly had momentum in the College Football Playoff race. The program's rise coincided with Pavia's emergence as a star.
Saturday's victory was a step forward in both of those areas. It was a program-defining victory for Vanderbilt that had never happened before this week. preferable against a rated opponent in 176 games. Pavia also demonstrated his dynamism, striving to do his best on the huge stage.
Pavia not only passed for 160 yards and a score, but also led all players in carries (17), rushing (86) and touchdowns (2). He did it all against one of the best defenses in college football, no less – one that didn't score more than 24 points all year until the Commodores broke the 30-point threshold.
It was after Vanderbilt's final touchdown, a 21-yard sprint, that Pavia struck the Heisman pose.
“I didn't see the pose, but yeah, I think he's the best player in college football,” Vanderbilt coach Clark Lee said after the game. “I think so. You can't watch him play and not realize what a game-changer he is. There are many good players; In my opinion, there are only a few who can take over the game, and he is one of them.”
The movement in the betting market reflected Pavia's success in the Heisman race. His chances of winning college football's most prestigious award, according to FanDuelafter the victory it soared to +1900. Only six players at national level have shorter odds. Indiana Fernando Mendoza (+230) and Alabama Ty Simpson (+270) – presumed leaders.
“He deserves all the attention, all the praise,” Leah said. “He's a confident guy, but he's humble in his actions. His biggest trait is curiosity.
This isn't really anything new for Pavia, who has passed or run for a touchdown in 24 straight games dating back to the week of his senior year at New Mexico State. However, the sixth-year player has become a more refined player this season and is clearly a much better passer than earlier in his career. Last week, he rushed for 300 yards for just the second time in his career and set a personal best with five touchdowns through the air. His completion rate of 70.5% for the year is more than 10 points higher than his best from the previous season.
Pavia has the numbers, the guts, and now the team is getting back to work needed to finish first in the Heisman race. If he keeps things going when the Commodores take over No. 16 Missouri and go to number 21. Texas he might just earn himself a spot at the awards show in New York in the next two weeks.
