NASHVILLE — In a hard-fought Southeastern Conference matchup, the Vanderbilt Commodores edged out the Missouri Tigers 17-10 on Saturday, securing their best start in more than 80 years at 7-1 overall and 3-1 in conference play. Missouri fell to 6-2 and 2-2 in the SEC.
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia plunged over from one yard out with 1:52 remaining, capping a decisive fourth-quarter drive to break the deadlock and hand the Tigers their first conference defeat since joining the SEC.
Missouri’s night took a sharp turn in the third quarter when starting quarterback Beau Pribula suffered a leg injury attempting a fourth-and-goal run at the 1-yard line. He was fitted with an air cast and carted off the field, leaving freshman Matt Zoller to step in under center. Zoller later connected on a six-yard touchdown pass to pull the Tigers within reach, but time ran out on Missouri’s comeback hopes.
Game Flow & Key Moments
- The Tigers grabbed an early 3-0 lead on a field goal just before halftime.
- Vanderbilt responded in the third quarter when Makhilyn Young broke free on an 80-yard touchdown run down the sideline to put Vandy up 10-3.
- Missouri answered early in the fourth when Zoller found Jude James for a six-yard touchdown pass, tying the game at 10-10 and shifting momentum back toward Columbia.
- Vanderbilt regained control late when Pavia’s drive, set up by a recovered fumble inside Missouri territory, delivered the winning score and gave the Commodores the edge they needed.
What It Means
For Vanderbilt, this victory solidifies a rapid ascent: their best start since 1941 and strong positioning in a wide-open SEC East. The win shows they can win low-scoring, physical games — a key to sustained success.
For Missouri, the loss brings scrutiny to depth and resilience. Losing their starting quarterback in a tight game magnifies the challenge of staying competitive when key pieces go down. Coach Eliah Drinkwitz and his coaching staff now face the task of stabilizing the offense and navigating the Tigers through the next critical stretch.
Moving Forward
Vanderbilt now prepares to visit Texas Longhorns on November 1, aiming to build on the momentum and continue carving a path toward postseason contention. Missouri receives a bye week before hosting Texas A&M Aggies on November 8 — a game that now carries extra weight given the recent setback.
Final Takeaway
Saturday’s encounter between two ranked SEC teams lived up to the billing: intense, tightly contested, and decided in the final minutes. Vanderbilt showed grit and growth with a late-game drive that flipped the game in their favor. Missouri, though talented, must now regroup and show durability under pressure if they’re to stay in the championship mix.
Credit: SportBuzzHub.com
