Prolific Vanderbilt Offense Cruises Past Utah State
Sep 27, 2025, 2:15 PM
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 27: Langston Patterson #10 of the Vanderbilt Commodores sacks Bryson Barnes #16 of the Utah State Aggies during the first half of the game at FirstBank Stadium on September 27, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)
(Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, Tennessee – Vanderbilt turned a competitive first 30 minutes into a second-half blowout in a 55-35 win over the Utah State Aggies.
The Aggies’ defense often looked helpless against Diego Pavia and the high-flying Commodores’ passing attack. Pavia finished the day 26-of-34 for 321 yards and a career-high five TDs.
RELATED: Mendenhall Praises Utah State Director Of Athletics Hire
Final
Vanderbilt 55 – Utah State 35
— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 27, 2025
USU’s defense surrendered 543 yards of offense for the Commodores, including 321 yards and five passing touchdowns.
The Aggie offense showed moments of explosiveness, but poor pass protection scuttled multiple drives. Utah State finished with 393 yards of offense and went five for five in the red zone with five TDs.
First Quarter
With new USU Director of Athletics Cameron Walker in attendance, Utah State took the opening kickoff after Vanderbilt deferred. Both teams ended their first possession with a punt.
Gettin’ loose 🤘#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/QObwAvnQt8
— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 27, 2025
USU’s second drive was aided by a roughing the passer penalty that gave the Aggies a free 15 yards. Bryson Barnes completed three passes on the drive and ran for another 22 yards.
Barnes and Miles Davis gave the visitors a 7-0 lead when they connected for an 18-yard score.
RELATED: Miles Davis Gives Utah State Early Lead Over No. 18 Vanderbilt
If scoring is cool, consider us Miles Davis! #AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/vdrzkpXdyk
— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 27, 2025
Vanderbilt responded with a punishing, nine-play drive. Commodore QB Diego Pavia tied the game with a 21-yard scoring strike to Junior Sherrill across the middle.
The Aggies got a massive break in the final seconds of the quarter when a seemingly blocked punt and safety was erased by a holding penalty that gave USU new life with a first down.
Second Quarter
Vanderbilt earned a roughing the punter penalty three plays later that moved Bronco Mendenhall’s team into enemy territory with a first down.
Barnes took advantage with back-to-back completions to Broc Lane for 38 yards.
After a timeout, Barnes hit a wide-open Josh Sterzer in the end zone. It was Sterzer’s first catch of the day and first TD of the year.
Scoring drive brought to you by the Tight Ends! @bryson_barnes10 ✈️ @LittleSterz34
📺 @SECNetwork pic.twitter.com/4jAZnyzp1w
— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 27, 2025
Vanderbilt’s net possession moved into USU territory on a 30-yard completion to Tre Richardson.
Moments later, Pavia turned a QB keeper into a six-yard TD run that tied matters at 14.
The Commodores’ offense took over again after a punt.
The Aggie defense looked helpless against Pavia’s passing attack as Vanderbilt steamrolled into the red zone. Pavia finished the drive with his second TD to Junior Sherrill to lead 21-14.
Following a three-and-out, Pavia and Sherrill came together for the duo’s third touchdown of the half.
3 TDS FOR SHERRILL…
IN THE FIRST HALF 💪 pic.twitter.com/DVWDkBL3nb
— #18 Vanderbilt Football (@VandyFootball) September 27, 2025
Utah State found a way to answer before the break.
Back-to-back first downs gave the offense a sense of momentum and put them in position to score with the clock running down.
Following a timeout with 42 seconds left, Barnes found Javen Jacobs in the flat for a 24-yard gain.
On 1st-and-Goal from the nine, Barnes found Pegan in the corner of the end zone for a contested touchdown grab that brought USU within seven points.
Braden Pegan ➡️ DOG!
📺 @SECNetwork pic.twitter.com/Fp41usrNWA
— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 27, 2025
Pavia scrambled for 33 yards to put his team in field goal range with five seconds on the clock. Brock Taylor made a 46-yard kick to give his team a 31-21 halftime lead.
Barnes completed 15-of-19 passes for 161 yards and three touchdowns while leading the team with 25 rushing yards.
Third Quarter
Vanderbilt opened the second half with an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. USU looked helpless against Pavia’s dual-threat ability. The graduate QB threw his career-high fourth TD pass on a 27-yard completion to Eli Stowers.
USU’s next drive ended on a punt fake that came up short of the markers.
The Commodores settled for a 31-yard FG on its next drive to go up 41-21.
Vanderbilt added another touchdown to outscore the Aggies 17-0 in the period and open up a 27-point advantage.
Fourth Quarter
The period began with back-to-back turnovers.
Barnes fumbled after an 18-yard run, and Vandy recovered. Noah Avinger intercepted Pavia in the end zone on the next play to get the football back.
Jacob Conover took over for Barnes on the next drive with USU still trailing by 27.
Conover replaces Barnes https://t.co/ZwrIEkssPV
— David James (@DavidDJJames) September 27, 2025
After consecutive punts, Conover led his team on a quick scoring drive.
Javen Jacobs took a first-down handoff and sprang for 58 yards before being dragged down at the 14-yard line.
Conover fired a strike to Brady Boyd on the next play for the first TD of Conover’s college career.
.@JacobConover17 to @bradyboyd_!#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/mV1kDvvgFJ
— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 27, 2025
Vanderbilt almost immediately responded with a touchdown to go up 55-28 with 5:21 left.
Conover led a last-minute scoring drive, finding Javen Jacobs for a six-yard scoring pass with 55 seconds left on the clock to make it 55-35.
Conover and Jacobs team up for 6️⃣! pic.twitter.com/Xov26WGcO1
— USU Football (@USUFootball) September 27, 2025
The Commodores needed two kneel-downs to run the clock out on a 20-point win.
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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
