NASHVILLE — No. 10 LSU visits No. 17 Vanderbilt on Saturday in an SEC matchup with College Football Playoff ramifications on the line. The Tigers and Commodores are both 5-1 on the season, and a loss could bump them from the CFP conversation.
Brian Kelly’s LSU team faltered earlier in late September with a loss at Ole Miss, but bounced back with a win over South Carolina last week. Vanderbilt is in Year 2 with quarterback Diego Pavia, coming off a bye after a loss at Alabama.
Saturday’s game kicks off at noon ET on ABC. On3’s live blog will track the matchup with live updates, analysis and instant reaction. Follow along for the latest on LSU at Vanderbilt.
By:Pete NakosFinal: Vanderbilt 31, LSU 2410/18/2025 02:20:57 PM
By:Pete Nakos4Q, 3:03: Makhilyn Young with 43-yard run10/18/2025 02:15:36 PM
The run puts Vanderbilt in the red zone with just over three minutes to play. Commodores lead 31-24.
By:Pete Nakos4Q, 3:12: LSU punts 10/18/2025 02:12:14 PM
The Tigers continue to struggle to move the ball, punting again with time ticking off the clock. Vanderbilt takes over after the punt on its 42-yard line.
By:Pete Nakos4Q, 6:28: LSU punts10/18/2025 02:03:14 PM
The Tigers were not able to take advantage of the opening to get back in the game, going three-and-out and gaining -12 yards. Vanderbilt ball from its 43-yard line.
By:Pete Nakos4Q, 8:55: Vanderbilt punts10/18/2025 01:56:42 PM
Following the LSU field goal, Vanderbilt went a quick three-and-out. Following a punt, the Tigers will take over on their 30-yard line.
By:Pete Nakos4Q, 11:39: Vanderbilt 31, LSU 2410/18/2025 01:51:18 PM
LSU answered Vanderbilt’s touchdown with a 9-play, 69-yard drive that stalled out inside the 5-yard line. Kicker Damian Ramos converted a 23-yard field goal to make it a one-score game.
By:Pete NakosDiego Pavia strikes Heisman pose10/18/2025 01:43:47 PM
By:Pete Nakos🚨 3Q, 0:27: Vanderbilt 31, LSU 2110/18/2025 01:33:17 PM
Dropping back to pass from the LSU 21-yard line, Diego Pavia broke the pocket moments before a possible sack and scrambled for a 22-yard touchdown. It punctuated a 75-yard drive with Pavia hitting the Heisman pose after the score.
By:Pete NakosDiego Pavia picks up key 4th down10/18/2025 01:32:06 PM
By:Pete Nakos🚨 3Q, 6:52: Vanderbilt 24, LSU 2110/18/2025 01:18:26 PM
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier dished off a pass to wide receiver Zavion Thomas as the pocket collapsed. The wide receiver took it 62 yards for a touchdown. The Tigers converted the two-point conversion to make it a one-score game.
Nussmeier was shaken up and slow to get up after the touchdown. He was out there for the successful two-point conversion attempt.
By:Pete Nakos🚨 3Q, 9:03: Vanderbilt 24, LSU 1310/18/2025 01:09:36 PM
Vanderbilt opened the second half with a 10-play, 75-yard drive, nearly six minutes, capped off by a play-action touchdown pass from Diego Pavia to tight end Cole Spence. The Commodores lead by more than 10 in the third quarter.
By:Pete NakosSecond half kicks off10/18/2025 12:59:55 PM
Vanderbilt receives to start the second half. Commodores will get started 25-yard line.
By:Pete NakosHT: Vanderbilt 17, LSU 1310/18/2025 12:39:09 PM
By:Pete Nakos🚨 2Q, 0:02: Vanderbilt 17, LSU 1310/18/2025 12:37:20 PM
Following the field goal from LSU, Vanderbitl ran its tempo offense to get in field goal position, going 50 yards in 37 seconds. Kicker Brock Taylor’s 46-yard field goal extended Vanderbilt’s lead to 17-13 with two seconds remaining in the first half.
By:Pete Nakos🚨 2Q, 0:50: Vanderbilt 14, LSU 1310/18/2025 12:32:35 PM
Following Vanderbilt’s turnover on downs, LSU’s offense was not able to capitalize on the momentum. Kicker Damian Ramos converted a 42-yard field goal to cut the deficit before the half.
By:Pete Nakos2Q, 1:43: Vanderbilt turnover on downs10/18/2025 12:27:22 PM
A dump pass to running back Sedrick Alexander made it 4th-and-1 from the Vanderbilt 44-yard line. Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia dropped back to pass on fourth down but was sacked by LSU’s West Weeks as he started to scramble. LSU takes over on the Vanderbilt 36-yard line.
By:Pete Nakos2Q, 2:33: LSU misses field goal10/18/2025 12:18:16 PM
After LSU’s drive stalled out around midfield, kicker Damian Ramos missed a 52-yard field goal attempt. Vanderbilt takes over on its 35-yard line with 2:33 to play in the first half, holding onto a 14-10 lead.
By:Pete Nakos🚨 2Q, 5:52: Vanderbilt 14, LSU 1010/18/2025 12:05:51 PM
Facing a 4th-and-1 from the LSU 1-yard line, Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea decided to go for it. Running back Sedrick Alexander jumped in for the touchdown, and it was upheld after review. Vanderbilt leads 14-10 late in the first half.
By:Pete Nakos🚨 2Q, 14:50: LSU 10, Vanderbilt 710/18/2025 11:52:13 AM
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier completed a quick screen to tight end Trey’Dez Green, who took it 24 yards to the end zone to give the Tigers back their lead. Green outran numerous Vanderbilt defenders on his way to his third touchdown of the year.
By:Pete NakosEnd 1Q: Vanderbilt 7, LSU 310/18/2025 11:46:54 AM
LSU will have a 1st-and-10 from the Vanderbilt 24-yard line coming out of the quarter break.
By:Pete NakosLSU OL injured10/18/2025 11:43:54 AM
LSU left tackle Tyree Adams was helped off the field by the training staff after going down with a lower-body injury.
By:Pete Nakos🚨 1Q, 3:38: Vanderbilt 7, LSU 310/18/2025 11:34:43 AM
Diego Pavia punched in a touchdown from 1-yard out to cap off a 9-play, 57-yard drive spanning more than five minutes. The touchdown run was set up by Pavia’s 20-yard scramble two plays earlier.
By:Pete Nakos1Q, 4:26: Diego Pavia to Eli Stowers10/18/2025 11:28:57 AM
Diego Pavia connected with his tight end Eli Stowers for a 14-yard pickup, putting Vanderbilt in the red zone.
By:Pete Nakos1Q, 9:22: Vanderbilt return sets up good field position10/18/2025 11:22:16 AM
Vanderbilt’s Aeron Burrell returns LSU’s kickoff Aeron yards to the Vanderbilt 43-yard line.
By:Pete Nakos🚨 1Q, 9:36: LSU 3, Vanderbilt 0 10/18/2025 11:19:29 AM
Vanderbilt defense forced a 3rd-down stop on its 24-yard line to force an LSU field goal. Tigers’ kicker Damian Ramos converted a 48-yard field goal to give LSU an early 3-0 lead. Barion Brown had four catches for 24 yards on the drive.
By:Pete NakosKickoff10/18/2025 11:05:12 AM
Vanderbilt won the toss and deferred. LSU will receive to start the game. Tigers will start from their 25-yard line.
By:Pete NakosFinal betting line10/18/2025 10:49:13 AM
Vanderbilt is a 1.5-point favorite over LSU on Saturday, according to BetMGM. The over-under is set at 48.5.
By:Pete NakosFinal injury updates10/18/2025 10:44:49 AM
LSU star linebacker and team captain Whit Weeks will not suit up vs. the Commodores after being listed as doubtful to play on the team’s final injury report to close out the week. With Weeks sidelined, the Tigers will turn to another linebacker who has logged 200-plus snaps in Davhon Keys, a second-year player who has stepped into a starting role already this season as a result of injuries at the linebacker position.
LSU will also be without starting defensive lineman Bernard Gooden, who is sidelined with a bruised collarbone, an injury that occurred in the win over the Gamecocks. Expect LSU to use a mix of backups at the position to fill the void, including veteran Jacobian Guillory, sophomore Ahmad Breaux, and true freshman Buddy Mathis.