Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia led a furious rally en route to 24 second-half points, but the Commodores eventually fell 34-27 to Iowa in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Wednesday from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
Iowa led Vanderbilt 21-3 in the third quarter after DJ Vonnahme caught a 21-yard touchdown pass, but the Commodores’ offense finally caught fire, with Pavia immediately responding with a 75-yard touchdown strike to Tre’ Richardson.
Pavia eventually completed 25-of-38 passes for 347 yards and two touchdowns while adding 36 rushing yards and one more score. However, Iowa kept its distance and remained ahead by at least seven points for the remainder of the game.
Pavia has said that 2025 will be his last season, even though there is an ongoing lawsuit regarding his eligibility for the 2026 campaign.
If this is it for Pavia, the question now becomes whether he can carve a niche in the NFL.
Fans provided their thoughts on the Heisman Trophy runner-up’s pro prospects during the game.
We’ll see how things transpire in the pre-draft process soon enough when things kick off in earnest in February with the NFL Draft Combine.