During the Birmingham Bowl matchup against Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia drew attention when he playfully tossed the ball to a heckling fan after stepping out of bounds in the red zone during the third quarter. This moment occurred shortly after teammate CJ Taylor intercepted a pass, setting up a favorable position for the Commodores, who were sitting at a 6-6 record.
Though Pavia gained four yards on the play, his actions led to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, moving the team back by 15 yards. Nevertheless, the Commodores persevered and managed to score a touchdown later in the drive, extending their lead to 28-13.
The game had an increasingly intense atmosphere during the third quarter, with Georgia Tech receiving multiple unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, including one against head coach Brent Key after he disputed a pass interference call. This followed an earlier incident in the second quarter involving Vanderbilt’s Kolbey Taylor. While players from both teams were engaged in a brief scuffle, no penalties were issued at that time.
In summary, the game showcased both spirited competition and a bit of friction between the teams, with Vanderbilt ultimately making the most of their scoring opportunities despite the distractions.
The lighthearted moment with Pavia reflects a youthful energy within the team, suggesting that despite intense competition, there is room for camaraderie and fun in sports. This spirit could serve as a catalyst for future successes for both Pavia and the Commodores.