Stripes Earned – Vanderbilt Commodores

Another Saturday, another Tiger takedown; No. 10 Vanderbilt defeats No. 15 Missouri 17-10
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Hours after hosting College GameDay for the first time since 2008, No. 10/12 Vanderbilt moved to 7-1 for the first time since 1941 with a 17-10 win over No. 15/14 Missouri in front of a sold-out crowd at FirstBank Stadium on Saturday.
Despite both teams entering with top-25 offenses in terms of yardage, the score sat 3-3 at halftime. Vanderbilt held Missouri (6-2, 2-2 SEC) to 156 yards of total offense in the first half, the Tigers’ lowest through the opening two quarters of play this season. Junior kicker Brock Taylor produced the only points of the first half for the Commodores, converting a 38-yard field goal with two minutes to go before halftime. The kick marks Taylor’s 18th straight make. Heading into the game, he was tied for the fifth-longest active streak across Division 1.
Graduate quarterback Diego Pavia had a tipped pass lead to an interception to open the third quarter, giving Missouri possession in plus territory. The Tigers pushed the ball inside the Commodore 3-yard line but were held scoreless by the Commodore defense after a fourth down stop at the goal line. Mizzou again threatened to score after forcing a Vanderbilt three-and-out to set up a 29-yard field goal attempt. Freshman Robert Meyer kicked it off the left upright and the game continued tied at 3-3.
Junior Makhilyn Young generated a much-needed spark on the next snap. Young bounced a run to the outside and took it 80 yards to the house, giving the Dores a 10-3 lead with 3:51 left in the third. The carry is the longest play of the season for Vanderbilt and longest rush since 2022. Missouri answered on the ensuing drive with its first touchdown of the game, capping off a 75-yard, 12-play possession on a six-yard pass and catch from freshman Matt Zollers to freshman Jude James.
After holding the Tiger offense in check for most of the game, the Commodore defense created the difference-making play. Sophomore CJ Heard ripped the ball from Missouri’s sophomore running back Jamal Roberts for a fumble and recovery, giving Vandy the ball back with 7:02 remaining in the game. The strip was Heard’s first forced fumble of the season. The Dores converted the go-ahead score moments later on a 1-yard rush from Pavia to grab a 17-10 lead; the drive lasted nine plays and took 5:10 off the clock. It was Pavia’s 20th touchdown accounted for this season.
Missouri made its way to midfield in the closing seconds. In the final play of regulation, the Tigers threw a Hail Mary pass that was caught by senior wideout Kevin Coleman Jr. but ruled just short at the half-yard line, sealing the Vandy win. It is the first Commodore victory in the series since 2019. Vanderbilt held Missouri to its lowest point total of the season and its fewest points scored since Oct. 26, 2024.
The Dores have defeated three AP-ranked opponents so far, marking the most in program history through the regular season. All three wins came over top-15 teams, tying Alabama for the most top-15 victories nationwide. Vandy now matches the program record for wins before November with seven, which was last reached in the 1915 season.
Vanderbilt returns to the road next Saturday against No. 22/18 Texas (6-2, 3-1 SEC). Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. with coverage on ABC or ESPN. For more information and exclusive content on the Vanderbilt football team, follow @VandyFB on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter/X.
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