The state of Alabama missed a good one in quarterback Diego Pavia.
Auburn and Alabama have learned that lesson painfully.
Pavia, a 6-foot-200-pounder, has quarterbacked teams that defeated the Tigers and Crimson Tide in consecutive seasons … at different schools.
The Pavia magic started in 2023 when he was the quarterback for New Mexico State. The Aggies went into Auburn and pummeled the Tigers, 31-10.
Pavia passed for 201 yards and three touchdowns in November when New Mexico State earned its first win over an SEC team in 28 tries.
Fast forward to October 2024. Pavia had transferred to Vanderbilt via the portal and was facing an Alabama team that had not lost to the Commodores since 1984.
Pavia did it again with his stirring performance against the top-ranked team in the country.
He was 16-of-20 passing for 252 yards and two touchdowns. Pavia added 56 rushing yards on 20 attempts as Vanderbilt downed Alabama, 40-35, in an all-time stunner.
Pavia was beyond jubilant in a salty interview after the game.
“GAMES LIKE THIS CHANGE YOUR LIFE!”
DIEGO PAVIA AFTER UPSETTING NO. 1 ALABAMA 😤 @VandyFootball pic.twitter.com/IclRKTOjzw
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) October 5, 2024