2025 Vanderbilt Commodores football team

2025 Vanderbilt Commodores football
Conference	Southeastern Conference
Ranking
Coaches	No. 16
AP	No. 15
Record	7–2 (3–2 SEC)
Head coach	Clark Lea (5th season)
Offensive coordinator	Tim Beck (2nd season)
Offensive scheme	Multiple
Defensive coordinator	Steve Gregory (2nd season)
Base defense	4–2–5
Home stadium	FirstBank Stadium
Seasons ←  2024 2026 →

2025 Southeastern Conference football standings

v t e	Conf.							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
No. 3 Texas A&M		5	–	0					8	–	0
No. 4 Alabama		5	–	0					7	–	1
No. 5 Georgia		5	–	1					7	–	1
No. 7 Ole Miss		5	–	1					8	–	1
No. 13 Texas		4	–	1					7	–	2
No. 11 Oklahoma		3	–	2					7	–	2
No. 15 Vanderbilt		3	–	2					7	–	2
No. 23 Tennessee		3	–	3					6	–	3
No. 19 Missouri		2	–	2					6	–	2
LSU		2	–	3					5	–	3
Florida		2	–	3					3	–	5
Mississippi State		1	–	4					5	–	4
Kentucky		1	–	5					3	–	5
Auburn		1	–	5					4	–	5
South Carolina		1	–	6					3	–	6
Arkansas		0	–	5					2	–	7
Championship: December 6, 2025
$ – Conference champion y – Championship game participant As of November 3, 2025 Rankings from AP Poll

The 2025 Vanderbilt Commodores football team represents Vanderbilt University as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 2025 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Commodores are led by Clark Lea in his fifth year as their head coach. The Commodores play their home games at FirstBank Stadium located in Nashville, Tennessee.

After defeating No. 11 South Carolina 31–7, Vanderbilt started 3–0 for the first time since 2017 and beat South Carolina for the first time since 2008, snapping a 16-game losing streak to the Gamecocks. This marked the first season since 1930 that Vanderbilt won each of their first three games by over 20 points. ^[1] Vanderbilt's 70–21 victory over Georgia State marked the most points scored in a game by Vanderbilt since 1918. A 55–35 win over Utah State marked Vanderbilt's first 5–0 start since 2008.

Vanderbilt appeared on College GameDay against No. 10 Alabama, Vanderbilt's first GameDay appearance since 2008 and second all-time. The lone prior GameDay appearance was a 14–13 upset win over Auburn. ^{[2] [3]} Despite this, the Crimson Tide avenged their stunning loss against the Commodores the year prior, winning the game 30–14. Vanderbilt later appeared on GameDay again against No. 15 Missouri, making 2025 Vanderbilt's first ever season with multiple GameDay appearances. Vanderbilt would go on to defeat Missouri 17-10.

After defeating No. 10 LSU, Vanderbilt was ranked No. 10, making it the first time they have been ranked in the top ten on an AP poll since their No. 10 ranking during the 1947 season. ^[4] This win also marked Vanderbilt's best start since 1950 at 6–1 and the Commodores became bowl eligible for a second consecutive season.

Preseason

Following a victory in the 2024 Birmingham Bowl that capped off a relatively successful 7–6 season, quarterback Diego Pavia announced his intention to return to Vanderbilt for the 2025 season on December 29, 2024. ^[5]

SEC prediction poll

The SEC released its preseason prediction poll on July 18, 2025. The Commodores were predicted to finish 13th in the conference and also received two first-place votes. ^[6]

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 30	6:00 p.m.	Charleston Southern *		FirstBank Stadium Nashville, TN	SECN+/ESPN+	W 45–3	35,000
September 6	6:30 p.m.	at Virginia Tech *		Lane Stadium Blacksburg, VA	ACCN	W 44–20	65,632
September 13	6:45 p.m.	at No. 11 South Carolina		Williams–Brice Stadium Columbia, SC	SECN	W 31–7	79,873
September 20	6:30 p.m.	Georgia State *	No. 20	FirstBank Stadium Nashville, TN	ESPNU	W 70–21	35,000
September 27	11:45 a.m.	Utah State *	No. 18	FirstBank Stadium Nashville, TN	SECN	W 55–35	33,688
October 4	2:30 p.m.	at No. 10 Alabama	No. 16	Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL ( College GameDay )	ABC	L 14–30	100,077
October 18	11:00 a.m.	No. 10 LSU	No. 17	FirstBank Stadium Nashville, TN	ABC	W 31–24	35,000
October 25	2:30 p.m.	No. 15 Missouri	No. 10	FirstBank Stadium Nashville, TN (College GameDay)	ESPN	W 17–10	35,000
November 1	11:00 a.m.	at No. 20 Texas	No. 9	Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium Austin, TX ( SEC Nation )	ABC	L 31–34	102,338
November 8	3:00 p.m.	Auburn		FirstBank Stadium Nashville, TN	SECN
November 22		Kentucky		FirstBank Stadium Nashville, TN (rivalry)
November 29		at Tennessee		Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN (rivalry)
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll (and CFP Rankings, after November 4) - Released prior to game All times are in Central time

^{[7] [8]}

Game summaries

vs Charleston Southern

See also: 2025 Charleston Southern Buccaneers football team

Charleston Southern Buccaneers (FCS) (0–0) at Vanderbilt Commodores (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Buccaneers (FCS)	0	0	0	3	3
Commodores	14	14	7	10	45

at FirstBank Stadium • Nashville, Tennessee

• Date: August 30
• Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Sunny, 81 °F (27 °C)
• Game attendance: 35,000
• Referee: Jeff Heaser
• TV announcers (SECN+/ESPN+): Kevin Fitzgerald (play-by-play) and Charles Arbuckle (analyst)
• Box score, Recap

Game information

First quarter VAN – Kayleb Barnett 9-yard pass from Diego Pavia (Brock Taylor kick), 10:13. Commodores 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:47. VAN – Junior Sherrill 12-yard pass from Diego Pavia (Brock Taylor kick), 6:59. Commodores 14–0. Drive: 4 plays, 53 yards, 1:32. Second quarter VAN – A. J. Newberry 4-yard run (Brock Taylor kick), 10:19. Commodores 21–0. Drive: 14 plays, 89 yards, 7:45. VAN – Sedrick Alexander 26-yard pass from Diego Pavia (Brock Taylor kick), 3:11. Commodores 28–0. Drive: 5 plays, 64 yards, 1:51. Third quarter VAN – Makhilyn Young 4-yard run (Brock Taylor kick), 5:47. Commodores 35–0. Drive: 4 plays, 21 yards, 2:27. Fourth quarter VAN – Brock Taylor 35-yard field goal, 11:48. Commodores 38–0. Drive: 4 plays, 2 yards, 0:00. VAN – Jamezell Lassiter 35-yard run (Brock Taylor kick), 7:14. Commodores 45–0. Drive: 4 plays, 59 yards, 2:12. CHSO – Zach Gordon 38-yard field goal, 0:07. Commodores 45–3. Drive: 11 plays, 54 yards, 7:07.

Statistics	CHSO	VAN
First downs	7	25
Total yards	135	481
Rushing yards	47	201
Passing yards	88	280
Passing: comp–att–int	10–19–1	21–28–0
Turnovers	2	0
Time of possession	27:51	32:09

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Charleston Southern	Passing	Zolten Osborne	8/16, 54 yards, INT
	Rushing	Isaiah Gordon	8 rushes, 28 yards
	Receiving	Jamil Bishop	2 receptions, 36 yards
Vanderbilt	Passing	Diego Pavia	20/25, 275 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Sedrick Alexander	12 rushes, 83 yards
	Receiving	Eli Stowers	4 receptions, 86 yards

at Virginia Tech

See also: 2025 Virginia Tech Hokies football team

Vanderbilt Commodores (1–0) at Virginia Tech Hokies (0–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Commodores	0	10	13	21	44
Hokies	10	10	0	0	20

at Lane Stadium • Blacksburg, Virginia

• Date: September 6
• Game time: 6:30 p.m. CDT / 7:30 p.m. EDT
• Game weather:  
• Game attendance: 65,632
• Referee: Kyle Olson
• TV announcers (ACCN): Wes Durham (play-by-play), Steve Addazio (analyst), and Dana Boyle (sideline)

Game information

First quarter VT – John Love 28-yard field goal, 7:11. Hokies 3–0. Drive: 15 plays, 64 yards, 7:49. VT – Ja'Ricous Hairston 2-yard pass from Kyron Drones (John Love kick), 0:06. Hokies 10–0. Drive: 8 plays, 85 yards, 4:27. Second quarter VAN – Brycen Coleman 54-yard pass from Diego Pavia (Brock Taylor kick), 14:51. Hokies 10–7. Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 0:15. VT – Kyron Drones 1-yard run (John Love kick), 11:10. Hokies 17–7. Drive: 6 plays, 27 yards, 2:15. VAN – Brock Taylor 29-yard field goal, 4:19. Hokies 17–10. Drive: 12 plays, 64 yards, 6:51. VT – John Love 27-yard field goal, 0:00. Hokies 20–10. Drive: 13 plays, 65 yards, 4:19. Third quarter VAN – Makhilyn Young 1-yard run (Brock Taylor kick), 8:02. Hokies 20–17. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 6:58. VAN – Tre Richardson 26-yard pass from Diego Pavia (Brock Taylor kick failed), 0:24. Commodores 23–20. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 5:26. Fourth quarter VAN – Sedrick Alexander 18-yard run (Brock Taylor kick), 10:13. Commodores 30–20. Drive: 8 plays, 56 yards, 4:30. VAN – Sedrick Alexander 6-yard run (Brock Taylor kick), 6:05. Commodores 37–20. Drive: 3 plays, 72 yards, 1:39. VAN – Eli Stowers 9-yard pass from Blaze Berlowitz (Brock Taylor kick), 2:12. Commodores 44–20. Drive: 7 plays, 31 yards, 2:21.

Statistics	VAN	VT
First downs	23	16
Total yards	490	248
Rushing yards	262	134
Passing yards	228	134
Passing: comp–att–int	14–20–1	17–29–0
Turnovers	2	1
Time of possession	32:12	27:48

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Vanderbilt	Passing	Diego Pavia	12/18, 193 Yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
	Rushing	Makhilyn Young	8 Carries, 95 Yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Eli Stowers	4 Receptions, 29 Yards, 1 TD
Virginia Tech	Passing	Kyron Drones	17/29, 134 Yards, 1 TD
	Rushing	Kyron Drones	13 Carries, 36 Yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Cameron Seldon	3 Receptions, 10 Yards, 0 TD

at No. 11 South Carolina

See also: 2025 South Carolina Gamecocks football team

Vanderbilt Commodores (2–0) at No. 11 South Carolina Gamecocks (2–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Commodores	7	7	7	10	31
No. 11 Gamecocks	7	0	0	0	7

at Williams–Brice Stadium • Columbia, South Carolina

• Date: September 13
• Game time: 6:45 p.m.
• Game weather: Clear • Temperature: 75 °F (24 °C) • Wind: NE at 3 miles per hour (4.8 km/h)
• Game attendance: 79,873
• Referee: Daniel Gautreaux
• TV announcers (SECN): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst), and Cole Cubelic (sideline)

Game information

First quarter (9:33) VAN – Sedrick Alexander 18-yard pass from Diego Pavia, Brock Taylor kick (Drive: 9 plays, 73 yards, 5:22; Vanderbilt 7–0) (5:58) SC – Rahsul Faison 7-yard run, William Joyce kick (Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:35; Tied 7–7) Second quarter (1:56) VAN – Junior Sherrill 5-yard pass from Diego Pavia, Brock Taylor kick (Drive: 12 plays, 76 yards, 5:59; Vanderbilt 14–7) Third quarter (10:48) VAN – Jamezell Lassiter 44-yard run, Brock Taylor kick (Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 2:20; Vanderbilt 21–7) Fourth quarter (9:31) VAN – Brock Taylor 51-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 18 yards, 3:48; Vanderbilt 24–7) (5:29) VAN – Sedrick Alexander 2-yard run, Brock Taylor kick (Drive: 5 plays, 37 yards, 2:29; Vanderbilt 31–7)

Statistics	VAN	SC
First downs	22	20
Total yards	323	328
Rushing yards	146	86
Passing yards	177	242
Passing: comp–att–int	18–26–1	24–34–2
Turnovers	1	4
Time of possession	35:43	24:17

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Vanderbilt	Passing	Diego Pavia	18–27, 177 yards, 2 TD, INT
	Rushing	Jamezell Lassiter	1 carry, 44 yards, TD
	Receiving	Eli Stowers	3 receptions, 45 yards
South Carolina	Passing	Luke Doty	18–27, 148 yards, INT
	Rushing	Rahsul Faison	15 carries, 74 yards, TD
	Receiving	Nyck Harbor	4 receptions, 66 yards

vs Georgia State

See also: 2025 Georgia State Panthers football team

Georgia State Panthers (1–2) at No. 20 Vanderbilt Commodores (3–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Panthers	3	6	6	6	21
No. 20 Commodores	21	21	14	14	70

at FirstBank Stadium • Nashville, Tennessee

• Date: September 20
• Game time: 6:30 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Partly cloudy, 86°F
• Game attendance: 35,000
• Referee: James Carter
• TV announcers (ESPNU): Jay Alter (play-by-play) and Rocky Boiman (analyst)

Game information

First quarter GAST – Braeden McAlister 52-yard field goal, 10:24. Panthers 3–0. Drive: 8 plays, 41 yards, 4:36. VAN – Sedrick Alexander 3-yard run (Brock Taylor kick), 5:52. Commodores 7–3. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:32. VAN – Diego Pavia 16-yard run (Brock Taylor kick), 3:08. Commodores 14–3. Drive: 4 plays, 71 yards, 1:31. VAN – Junior Sherrill 8-yard run (Brock Taylor kick), 1:33. Commodores 21–3. Drive: 3 plays, 35 yards, 1:23. Second quarter GAST – Jordon Simmons 4-yard pass from Cameran Brown (Braeden McAlister kick BLOCKED), 10:21. Commodores 21–9. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 6:12. VAN – AJ Newberry 2-yard run (Brock Taylor kick), 4:15. Commodores 28–9. Drive: 10 plays, 52 yards, 5:56. VAN – AJ Newbery 8-yard run (Brock Taylor kick), 1:41. Commodores 35–9. Drive: 6 plays, 69 yards, 1:16. VAN – Sedrick Alexander 10-yard pass from Diego Pavia (Brock Taylor kick), 0:24. Commodores 42–9. Drive: 7 plays, 83 yards, 0:53. Third quarter GAST – Leo Blackburn 3-yard pass from TJ Finley (run failed), 10:11. Commodores 42–15. Drive: 5 plays, 34 yards, 3:16. VAN – Makhilyn Young 60-yard run (Brock Taylor kick), 9:23. Commodores 49–15. Drive: 2 plays, 64 yards, 0:47. VAN – Jamison Curtis 4-yard blocked punt return, 8:38. Commodores 56–15. Fourth quarter VAN – Blaze Berlowitz 7-yard run (Brock Taylor kick), 11:02. Commodores 63–15. Drive: 6 plays, 70 yards, 3:07. VAN – Drew Dickey 9-yard run (Mason Rohmiller kick), 7:23. Commodores 70–15. Drive: 5 plays, 41 yards, 2:16. GAST – DJ Riles 32-yard from TJ Finley (pass failed), 2:26. Commodores 70–21. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 4:57.

Statistics	GAST	VAN
First downs	18	30
Total Yards	290	635
Rushes–yards	20–32	37–286
Passing yards	258	349
Passing: comp–att–int	31-48-0	23-24-0
Turnovers	1	0
Time of possession	30:11	29:49

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Georgia State	Passing	TJ Finley	22-35, 176 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Rashad Amos	5 carries, 25 yards
	Receiving	Ted Hurst	7 receptions, 71 yards
Vanderbilt	Passing	Diego Pavia	18-24, 245 yards, 1 TD
	Rushing	Diego Pavia	9 carries, 86 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Eli Stowers	5 receptions, 73 yards

vs Utah State

See also: 2025 Utah State Aggies football team

Utah State Aggies (3–1) vs No. 18 Vanderbilt Commodores (4–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Aggies	7	14	0	14	35
No. 18 Commodores	7	24	17	7	55

at FirstBank Stadium • Nashville, Tennessee

• Date: September 27
• Game time: 11:45 a.m. CDT
• Game weather: Scattered clouds, 83°F
• Game attendance: 33,688
• Referee: Jason Autrey
• TV announcers (SECN): Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Matt Stinchcomb (analyst), and Alyssa Lang (sideline)

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	USU	VAN
First downs	21	31
Total yards	393	543
Rushing yards	119	222
Passing yards	274	321
Passing: comp–att–int	28-38-0	26-35-1
Turnovers	1	1
Time of possession	26:43	33:17

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Utah State	Passing	Bryson Barnes	15-22, 161 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Javen Jacobs	4 carries, 63 yards
	Receiving	Broc Lane	7 receptions, 98 yards
Vanderbilt	Passing	Diego Pavia	26-34, 321 yards, 5 TD, 1 INT
	Rushing	Diego Pavia	9 carries, 79 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Junior Sherrill	6 receptions, 91 yards, 3 TD

at No. 10 Alabama

See also: 2025 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

No. 16 Vanderbilt Commodores (5–0) at No. 10 Alabama Crimson Tide (3–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 16 Commodores	7	7	0	0	14
No. 10 Crimson Tide	0	14	6	10	30

at Bryant–Denny Stadium • Tuscaloosa, Alabama

• Date: October 4
• Game time: 2:30 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Sunny, 83 °F (28 °C); Wind: W 9 mph
• Game attendance: 100,077
• Referee: Daniel Gautreaux
• TV announcers (ABC): Sean McDonough (play-by-play), Greg McElroy (analyst), and Molly McGrath (sideline)

Game information

First quarter (6:34) VAN – Sedrick Alexander 65-yard run, Brock Taylor kick (Drive: 6 plays, 93 yards, 3:13; Vanderbilt 7–0) Second quarter (9:22) ALA – Ryan Williams 14-yard pass from Ty Simpson, Conor Talty kick (Drive: 12 plays, 92 yards, 7:24; Tied 7–7) (1:33) VAN – Sedrick Alexander 4-yard pass from Diego Pavia, Brock Taylor kick (Drive: 10 plays, 38 yards, 4:23; Vanderbilt 14–7) (0:17) ALA – Germie Bernard 27-yard pass from Ty Simpson, Conor Talty kick (Drive: 6 plays, 78 yards, 1:11; Tied 14–14) Third quarter (9:15) ALA – Conor Talty 38-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 68 yards, 3:34; Alabama 17–14) (1:17) ALA – Conor Talty 30-yard field goal (Drive: 11 plays, 66 yards, 5:56; Alabama 20–14) Fourth quarter (4:08) ALA – Conor Talty 30-yard field goal (Drive: 16 plays, 69 yards, 8:29; Alabama 23–14) (0:17) ALA – Jam Miller 20-yard run, Conor Talty kick (Drive: 4 plays, 28 yards, 1:01; Alabama 30–14)

Statistics	VAN	ALA
First downs	16	25
Plays–yards	54–333	69–486
Rushes–yards	19–135	38–146
Passing yards	198	340
Passing: comp–att–int	21–35–1	23–31–1
Turnovers	2	1
Time of possession	22:37	37:23

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Vanderbilt	Passing	Diego Pavia	21/35, 198 yards, TD, INT
	Rushing	Sedrick Alexander	4 carries, 76 yards, TD
	Receiving	Junior Sherrill	6 receptions, 49 yards
Alabama	Passing	Ty Simpson	23/31, 340 yards, 2 TD, INT
	Rushing	Jam Miller	22 carries, 136 yards, TD
	Receiving	Ryan Williams	6 receptions, 98 yards, TD

vs No. 10 LSU

See also: 2025 LSU Tigers football team

No. 10 LSU Tigers (5–1) vs No. 17 Vanderbilt Commodores (5–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 10 Tigers	3	10	8	3	24
No. 17 Commodores	7	10	14	0	31

at FirstBank Stadium • Nashville, Tennessee

• Date: October 18
• Game time: 11:00 a.m. CDT
• Game weather: Clear • Wind: SW at 10 miles per hour (16 km/h)
• Game attendance: 35,000
• Referee: David Smith
• TV announcers (ABC): Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), Jesse Palmer (analyst), and Katie George (sideline)

Game information

First quarter (9:32) LSU – Damian Ramos 48-yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 44 yards, 5:28; LSU 3–0) (3:38) VAN – Diego Pavia 1-yard run, Brock Taylor kick (Drive: 9 plays, 57 yards, 5:44; Vanderbilt 7–3) Second quarter (14:50) LSU – Trey'Dez Green 24-yard pass from Garrett Nussmeier, Damian Ramos kick (Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:48; LSU 10–7) (5:52) VAN – Sedrick Alexander 1-yard run, Brock Taylor kick (Drive: 14 plays, 75 yards, 8:58; Vanderbilt 14–10) (0:45) LSU – Damian Ramos 42-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 11 yards, 0:58; Vanderbilt 14–13) (0:02) VAN – Brock Taylor 46-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 50 yards, 0:37; Vanderbilt 17–13) Third quarter (9:03) VAN – Cole Spence 1-yard pass from Diego Pavia, Brock Taylor kick (Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:57; Vanderbilt 24–13) (6:52) LSU – Zavion Thomas 62-yard pass from Garrett Nussmeier, Trey'Dez Green pass (Drive: 5 plays, 92 yards, 2:03; Vanderbilt 24–21) (0:27) VAN – Diego Pavia 21-yard run, Brock Taylor kick (Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 6:25; Vanderbilt 31–21) Fourth quarter (11:39) LSU – Damian Ramos 23-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 69 yards, 3:48; Vanderbilt 31–24)

Statistics	LSU	VAN
First downs	14	20
Plays–yards	49–325	67–399
Rushes–yards	21–100	45–239
Passing yards	225	160
Passing: comp–att–int	19–28–0	14–22–0
Turnovers	0	0
Time of possession	23:29	36:31

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
LSU	Passing	Garrett Nussmeier	19/28, 225 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Caden Durham	7 carries, 59 yards
	Receiving	Zavion Thomas	4 receptions, 75 yards, TD
Vanderbilt	Passing	Diego Pavia	14/22, 160 yards, TD
	Rushing	Diego Pavia	17 carries, 86 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Cole Spence	5 receptions, 56 yards, TD

vs No. 15 Missouri

See also: 2025 Missouri Tigers football team

No. 15 Missouri Tigers (6–1) vs No. 10 Vanderbilt Commodores (6–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 15 Tigers	0	3	0	7	10
No. 10 Commodores	0	3	7	7	17

at FirstBank Stadium • Nashville, Tennessee

• Date: October 25
• Game time: 2:30 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 71 °F (22 °C)
• Game attendance: 35,000
• Referee: Steve Marlowe
• TV announcers (ESPN): Bob Wischusen (play-by-play), Louis Riddick (analyst), and Kris Budden (sideline)

Game information

First quarter No scoring plays Second quarter (5:11) MIZ – Robert Meyer 39-yard field goal (Drive: 13 plays, 69 yards, 7:48; Missouri 3–0) (2:00) VAN – Brock Taylor 38-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 55 yards, 3:06; Tied 3–3) Third quarter (3:51) VAN – Makhilyn Young 80-yard run, Brock Taylor kick (Drive: 1 play, 80 yards, 0:13; Vanderbilt 10–3) Fourth quarter (12:49) MIZ – Jude James 6-yard pass from Matt Zollers, Robert Meyer kick (Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 6:02; Tied 10–10) (1:52) VAN – Diego Pavia 1-yard run, Brock Taylor kick (Drive: 9 plays, 44 yards, 5:10; Vanderbilt 17–10)

Statistics	MIZ	VAN
First downs	22	13
Plays–yards	78–376	45–265
Rushes–yards	41–170	26–136
Passing yards	206	129
Passing: comp–att–int	23–37–0	10–19–1
Turnovers	1	1
Time of possession	36:12	23:48

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Missouri	Passing	Matt Zollers	14/23, 138 yards, TD
	Rushing	Ahmad Hardy	20 carries, 97 yards
	Receiving	Kevin Coleman Jr.	7 receptions, 109 yards
Vanderbilt	Passing	Diego Pavia	10/19, 129 yards, INT
	Rushing	Makhilyn Young	4 carries, 86 yards, TD
	Receiving	Tre Richardson	4 receptions, 62 yards

at No. 20 Texas

See also: 2025 Texas Longhorns football team

No. 9 Vanderbilt Commodores (7–1) at Texas Longhorns (6–2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 9 Commodores	0	10	0	21	31
No. 20 Longhorns	17	7	10	0	34

at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium • Austin, Texas

• Date: November 1
• Game time: 11:00 a.m.
• Game weather:  
• Game attendance: 102,338
• Referee: Lee Hedrick
• TV announcers (ABC): Sean McDonough (play-by-play), Greg McElroy (analyst), and Molly McGrath (sideline)

Game information

First quarter (14:49) TEX – Ryan Wingo 75-yard pass from Arch Manning (Mason Shipley kick), (Drive: 1 plays, 75 yards, 0:11; Texas 7–0) (11:38) TEX – Mason Shipley 39-yard field goal (Drive: 5 plays, 8 yards, 1:08; Texas 10–0) (2:11) TEX – CJ Baxter 6–yard pass from Arch Manning (Mason Shipley kick), (Drive: 10 plays, 83 yards, 5:01; Texas 17–0) Second quarter (11:22) VAN – Brock Taylor 44-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 53 yards, 5:44; Texas 17–3) (7:02) TEX – Quintrevion Wisner 4-yard run (Mason Shipley kick), (Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards, 4:15; Texas 24–3) (0:11) VAN – Eli Stowers 18–yard pass from Diego Pavia (Brock Taylor kick), (Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 6:51; Texas 24–10) Third quarter (9:12) TEX – Emmett Mosley V 6–yard pass from Arch Manning (Mason Shipley kick), (Drive: 11 plays, 93 yards, 5:15; Texas 31–10) (0:06) TEX – Mason Shipley 37-yard field goal (Drive: 11 plays, 51 yards, 5:31; Texas 34–10) Fourth quarter (10:05) VAN – Diego Pavia 25-yard run (Two-point conversion failed), (Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards, 4:15; Texas 34–16) (3:54) VAN – Eli Stowers 67–yard pass from Diego Pavia (Diego Pavia pass to Junior Sherrill for two-point conversion), (Drive: 1 plays, 67 yards, 0:10; Texas 34–24) (0:33) VAN – Richie Hoskins 8–yard pass from Diego Pavia (Brock Taylor kick), (Drive: 12 plays, 89 yards, 2:31; Texas 34–31)

Statistics	VAN	TEX
First downs	25	23
Plays–yards	62–423	60–428
Rushes–yards	24–58	27–100
Passing yards	365	328
Passing: comp–att–int	27–38–0	25–33–0
Turnovers	0	0
Time of possession	30:59	29:01

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Vanderbilt	Passing	Diego Pavia	27–38, 365 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Diego Pavia	14 carries, 43 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Eli Stowers	7 receptions, 146 yards, 2 TD
Texas	Passing	Arch Manning	25–33, 328 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Quintrevion Wisner	18 carries, 75 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Ryan Wingo	2 receptions, 89 yards, 1 TD

vs Auburn

See also: 2025 Auburn Tigers football team

Auburn Tigers (4–5) vs Vanderbilt Commodores (7–2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	Total
Tigers			0
Commodores			0

at FirstBank Stadium • Nashville, Tennessee

• Date: November 8
• Game time: 3:00 p.m.
• Game weather:  
• Game attendance:  
• Referee:  
• TV announcers (SECN):  

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	AUB	VAN
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Auburn	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Vanderbilt	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

vs Kentucky (rivalry)

See also: 2025 Kentucky Wildcats football team and Kentucky–Vanderbilt football rivalry

Kentucky Wildcats (0–0) vs Vanderbilt Commodores (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	Total
Wildcats			0
Commodores			0

at FirstBank Stadium • Nashville, Tennessee

• Date: November 22
• Game time:  
• Game weather:  
• Game attendance:  
• Referee:  
• TV announcers ( ):  

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	UK	VAN
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Kentucky	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Vanderbilt	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Tennessee (rivalry)

See also: 2025 Tennessee Volunteers football team and Tennessee–Vanderbilt football rivalry

Vanderbilt Commodores (0–0) at Tennessee Volunteers (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	Total
Commodores			0
Volunteers			0

at Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, Tennessee

• Date: November 29
• Game time:  
• Game weather:  
• Game attendance:  
• Referee:  
• TV announcers ( ):  

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	VAN	TENN
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Vanderbilt	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Tennessee	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Roster

2025 Vanderbilt Commodores football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class WR 0 Junior Sherrill Jr WR 1 Trent Hudson GS QB 2 Diego Pavia GS WR 3 Tristen Brown So WR 5 Richie Hoskins GS WR 6 Tre Richardson Jr QB 7 Drew Dickey Sr TE 9 Eli Stowers GS QB 10 Whit Muschamp So QB 11 Jack Elliott Fr RB 13 Chase Gillespie Sr QB 14 Jérémy St-Hilaire So WR 15 Joseph McVay So TE 16 Cole Spence Sr WR 17 Chance Fitzgerald Jr WR 18 Boski Barrett So QB 19 Blaze Berlowitz Jr RB 22 Makhilyn Young Jr RB 23 AJ Newberry Jr RB 28 Sedrick Alexander Jr RB 33 Gabe Fields Fr WR 35 Ryder Brownstein Fr WR 38 Wils Jackson Fr RB 41 Jamezell Lassiter So RB 42 Jake Balis So RB 43 Dominic Rezac Sr FB, TE 44 Gabe Fisher Jr TE 45 Emmanuel Adebi GS RB 47 Isaiah Fontan Sr TE 49 Elijah Rooney So OL 50 Chase Mitchell GS OL 51 Clinton Azubuike So OL 52 Kevo Wesley GS OL 53 Jordan White GS OL 55 Bryce Henderson GS OL 56 Gunner Givens Sr OL 57 Max Fisher Jr OL 58 Orion Irving Jr OL 62 CJ Williams So OL 69 Cooper Starks Jr OL 70 Cade McConnell Sr OL 71 Ted Gregoire Jr OL 72 Isaia Glass GS OL 73 Charlie Clark GS OL 75 Misael Sandoval Jr OL 77 David Siegel Sr OL 78 Keegan Wechsler Jr OL 79 Sterling Porcher GS WR 80 Claiborne Richards Jr WR 81 Kayleb Barnett Fr TE 82 Brycen Coleman So WR 83 Derek Kee Jr WR 85 Lebron Hill Fr TE 86 Witt Edwards So WR 87 Ty Burd Jr WR 89 Cameran Dickson Fr	Defense Pos. # Name Class CB 0 Marlon Jones GS S 1 Dontae Carter So S, OLB 2 Randon Fontenette Jr CB 3 Kolbey Taylor GS CB, WR 4 Martel Hight Jr DL 5 Yilanan Ouattara Sr CB 6 Jordan Matthews Jr S 7 Marlen Sewell GS S 8 CJ Heard So EDGE 9 Keanu Koht Sr LB 10 Langston Patterson Sr LB 11 Bryan Longwell Jr STAR 14 Jailen Ruth Jr DL 15 Zaylin Wood GS CB 17 Mark Davis GS S 18 Jalen Gilbert Jr LB 20 Prince Kollie GS S 21 Davin Chandler Fr LB 22 Bryce Cowan Sr S 23 Carson Lawrence Fr LB 24 Nick Rinaldi Sr CB 26 Cayden Daniels Fr CB 27 Jaylin Lackey So S 28 Thomas Jones So EDGE 29 Miles Capers GS CB 30 Trudell Berry Sr STAR 31 Tate Hamby So EDGE 32 Mason Carter So STAR 33 Vanzale Hinton Fr LB 34 Austin Howard Fr S 35 Payne Daniel Jr LB 36 Josiah Broxton Fr CB 37 Jack Wanzung Fr S 39 Brail Lipford GS LB 40 Jamison Curtis So CB 42 Blaine McClure So LB 43 Luke D'Alise So LB 45 Ty Bartholomew Jr CB 46 Mustafa Dannett Sr DL 49 Simeon Boulware So DL 53 Glenn Seabrooks III So DL 54 Mason Nelson GS DL 55 Aaron Bryant Sr DL 90 Jake Stanish Fr DL 92 Jaylon Stone Jr DL 93 Nikhil Jefferson Fr DL 94 Bradley Mann Sr DL 95 Linus Zunk Sr DL 96 Khordae Sydnor GS DL 97 Hayden Bray GS DL 98 Terry Nwabuisi-Ezeala So DL 99 Joshua Singh GS	Special teams Pos. # Name Class P 38 Nick Haberer GS K 40 Mason Rohmiller Sr LS 41 Stone Owens Fr LS 46 Durham Harris GS K 47 Justin Dewers Fr P 79 Conor Weasler Jr K 88 Brock Taylor Jr	Head coach Clark Lea Head coach Coordinators/assistant coaches Jerry Kill Chief consultant to the head coach/ Senior offensive advisor Tim Beck Offensive coordinator Steve Gregory Defensive coordinator Nick Lezynski Co-defensive coordinator/Linebackers Jeff LePak Special teams coordinator/Tight ends Ghaali Muhammad-Lankford Run game coordinator/Running backs Alex Bailey Pass game coordinator/Wide receivers Larry Black Defensive run game coordinator/Defensive line Jovan Haye Defensive ends Melvin Rice Safeties Jamaal Richardson Cornerbacks Chris Klenakis Offensive line Brendan Flaherty Tight ends Jimmy Thompson Stars/Nickels Garrett Altman Quarterbacks Shane Gallant Specialists/Assistant special teams Josh Adams Assistant running backs Arion Shinaver Assistant safeties Justin Harris Assistant cornerbacks Jafar Williams Assistant wide receivers Jeff Nady Assistant offensive line Jordan Matthews Offensive Consultant Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt Roster Last update: August 26, 2025

Rankings

Further information: 2025 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings

Ranking movements
Legend:██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes

	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	Final
AP	—	—	RV	20	18	16	20	17	10	9	15
Coaches	RV	RV	RV	23	20	17	20	18	12	11	16
CFP	Not released																Not released

References

1. "Postgame Notes vs. South Carolina". Vanderbilt University Athletics - Official Athletics Website. September 13, 2025. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
2. Oelhafen, Henry (September 28, 2025). "BREAKING: ESPN's College GameDay to visit Vanderbilt vs. Alabama game in Tuscaloosa - The Vanderbilt Hustler" . Retrieved September 29, 2025.
3. "Vanderbilt football: College GameDay to be on site for Vandy-Alabama showdown, Commodores rise in rankings". 247Sports. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
4. Russo, Ralph D. (October 19, 2025). "AP Top 25: Indiana up to No. 2 as Vanderbilt reaches top 10 in poll for first time since 1947". The New York Times. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
5. "Diego Pavia Officially Announces His Return to Vanderbilt for 2025 Season". Vanderbilt Commodores. December 29, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
6. "Preseason SEC football media poll, All-SEC team announced". July 18, 2025. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
7. Gerson, Aria. "Vanderbilt football schedule 2025: See every game including Tennessee, Texas". The Tennessean. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
8. "2025 Vanderbilt Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved December 20, 2024.