Vanderbilt’s late rally falls short at Texas

No. 9 Vanderbilt scored 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter Saturday, but its comeback ended with a failed onside kick in a 34-31 loss at No. 20 Texas.

Quarterback Diego Pavia drove the rally while producing a career-high 408 yards of total offense. He completed 27 of 38 passes for a season-high 365 yards and rushed for 43 yards. Pavia accounted for four touchdowns without throwing an interception. His total offense was the most by a Vanderbilt player against an SEC opponent since Chris Nickson recorded 517 yards in 2006, and Pavia moved to seventh in program history in career passing yards.

Texas took control early with a 17-0 first-quarter lead, opened by Arch Manning’s 75-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Wingo. Vanderbilt cut into the margin before halftime on Brock Taylor’s 44-yard field goal and Pavia’s 18-yard touchdown pass to Eli Stowers following a fourth-and-5 conversion.

The Longhorns led 34-10 after three quarters before Vanderbilt made its push. Pavia scored on a 25-yard run, then hit Stowers for a 67-yard touchdown immediately after the Commodores stopped Texas on fourth down. After another defensive stop, Pavia completed five first-down passes on a drive capped by an 8-yard touchdown to Richie Hoskins.

Stowers finished with seven receptions for 146 yards and two touchdowns, his first multi-touchdown game of the season. Hoskins’ career-high five catches matched Junior Sherrill’s total. Nick Rinaldi and Marlen Sewell each made a season-high eight tackles.

Manning completed 25 of 33 passes for 328 yards and three touchdowns for Texas. Quintrevion Wisner rushed 18 times for 75 yards, while Emmett Mosley caught seven passes for 69 yards.

The loss dropped Vanderbilt to 7-2 overall and 3-2 in SEC play, while Texas improved to 7-2 overall and 4-1 in the conference.

Why it matters

Vanderbilt fell to 3-2 in SEC play despite producing 21 unanswered fourth-quarter points. Pavia’s career performance and his connection with Stowers gave the Commodores a chance after Texas led 34-10 through three quarters.

What to watch next

The source listed Auburn as Vanderbilt’s next opponent for a homecoming game scheduled for 3 p.m. on SEC Network.