Amber Aniston • October 27, 2024

Vanderbilt Pushes Texas to the Brink, But Longhorns Hold On for 27-24 Win

 In what nearly became one of the biggest upsets of the college football season, Vanderbilt fell just short against No. 5 Texas, losing 27-24 in a hard-fought battle at FirstBank Stadium. The Commodores, ranked No. 25, proved that they are a force to be reckoned with in the SEC, pushing Texas to the edge before the Longhorns managed to escape with the win.


Coming off a tough loss to Georgia, Texas entered the game looking to regain momentum. However, Vanderbilt’s relentless effort on both sides of the ball kept the game within reach until the final whistle.


Fast Start for Texas

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers wasted no time getting his team on the board, leading two quick scoring drives in the first quarter. Ewers, showing resilience after dealing with injuries earlier this season, threw for 288 yards and three touchdowns on 27-of-37 passing. His connection with wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. was especially dangerous, as Moore hauled in two touchdowns in the first half and racked up over 100 receiving yards.


Texas looked in control early, leading 14-7 by the end of the first quarter and 17-7 at halftime. Running back Quintrevion Wisner added 79 rushing yards on 17 carries, helping Texas control the clock. But Vanderbilt, known for their scrappy play under head coach Clark Lea, refused to back down.


Vanderbilt’s Gritty Comeback

Led by quarterback Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt slowly clawed its way back into the game. Pavia, who finished the game with 227 passing yards and a touchdown, also used his legs to make big plays, including an 18-yard scramble for a third-quarter touchdown that brought the Commodores within seven points.


Vanderbilt’s defense stepped up in the second half, forcing two turnovers and sacking Ewers four times. The Commodores capitalized on Texas’ mistakes, including several key penalties that stalled the Longhorns' drives.


Running back Sedrick Alexander, an Austin native playing against his hometown team, contributed before leaving the game due to injury in the second quarter. Despite the setback, Vanderbilt continued to fight, with wide receiver Eli Stowers making critical plays down the stretch.


Texas Struggles to Close

Texas, which had dominated the first half, struggled to maintain its lead in the second half. The Longhorns were their own worst enemy at times, committing 10 penalties for 108 yards, including costly holding and unsportsmanlike conduct calls. These mistakes kept Vanderbilt in the game, and the Commodores took full advantage, tightening the score in the fourth quarter.


Despite these struggles, Texas managed to extend its lead to 27-17 with a late field goal. But Vanderbilt wasn’t done yet.


Late Drama and Vanderbilt’s Final Push

With time winding down, Vanderbilt mounted one last comeback effort. Pavia led a furious drive down the field, capped off by a 13-yard touchdown pass to Eli Stowers with just 46 seconds remaining, bringing the score to 27-24.


The crowd at FirstBank Stadium erupted as Vanderbilt lined up for the onside kick, hoping for a chance to tie or win the game. However, Texas wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. recovered the kick, allowing the Longhorns to escape with the narrow victory.


Vanderbilt Earns Respect in Narrow Defeat

Despite the loss, Vanderbilt earned significant respect for its performance. The Commodores went toe-to-toe with one of the top teams in the nation and nearly pulled off the upset. Pavia’s leadership and the defense’s resilience were key factors in keeping the game close until the very end.


Looking Ahead

Texas, now 6-2, will take some lessons from this close call as they prepare for their next game against Florida. With playoff hopes still in reach, the Longhorns will need to clean up the mistakes that almost cost them the game.


For Vanderbilt, this game, though a loss, could serve as a turning point in their season. With several winnable games ahead, including a matchup against Kentucky, the Commodores will look to build on this performance and finish the season strong.



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