High-impact ‘Dores quarterback averaging almost 15 carries per game.
There is no doubting the transformative impact quarterback Diego Pavia has had on Vanderbilt’s football team through the first two games of the season.
It’s all the more reason to make sure he stays healthy moving forward, starting Saturday when the Commodores (2-0) play at Georgia State (1-1) at 6 p.m. (ESPN+).
But that may be easier said than done, considering Pavia’s heavy running load, as well as his inspirational, crash-and-bang style in the rushing attack.
“Yeah, I am concerned [about the number of hits he takes],” Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea said. “I also want to be careful not to change the way he plays his game. I think there are things we can do to help that. Just design plays where he’s handing the ball off or design plays where he’s throwing the ball … But I want to be careful because we have to form an identity and play to an identity.”
Vandy’s offensive identity thus far has included a big dose of Pavia, the 6-0, 207-pound transfer from New Mexico State who is averaging 214 yards of total offense per game.
Pavia leads the Commdores with 39 carries for 155 yards (3.97 yards per attempt), averaging 19.5 carries and 77.5 rushing yards per contest. He has two rushing touchdowns, and he’s thrown for two of the team’s three passing touchdowns.
Thanks in large part to Pavia, Vandy is averaging 211.5 rushing yards per game (33rd in the nation), averaging 44.5 points per game (tied for 16th in the nation) and has totaled six rushing touchdowns (tied for 18th in the country).
But can Pavia’s physical style survive the long season and rigors of an SEC schedule?
Lea realizes he may have to give some snaps to back-up quarterback Nate Johnson, who impressed in last Saturday’s 55-0 win over Alcorn State with a 56-yard touchdown run.
“Diego needs to be the competitor he’s going to be, and we have to prepare the other guys in the room, too,” Lea said. “[Nate came in and] he only had a couple snaps, but was able to show dynamic playmaking with his legs … He’ll be ready when called upon. We need to be conscious of Diego’s exposures but play the game to our identity.”
Johnson, also a transfer, played in eight games for Utah last season, passing for 499 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 235 yards and four touchdowns.
His 56-yard scoring scamper against the Braves was the longest by a Power 4 quarterback this season, per Pro Football Focus, and the fourth-longest of any FBS quarterback.
Lea had hoped to get Johnson more playing time against Alcorn State, but the quarterback’s long TD run — as well as scores by Vandy’s defense and special teams — limited the ‘Dores offensive opportunities late in the game.
“I wanted him to be able to throw the ball more,” Lea said. “So it was unfortunate we didn’t get more for him. But Nate prepares the same way each week. He’ll be ready, and inevitably his number is going to be called for us this year, so he’s going to get that game exposure, and he’s already had it [at Utah].”
Pavia, Johnson and the rest of the Commodores will be looking to go 3-0 for the first time since 2017 when they take on Georgia State of the Sun Belt Conference.
Vandy is a 10.5-point favorite to down the Panthers, who lost 35-12 to Georgia Tech in their opener and beat Chattanooga 24-21 last weekend.
It will be the first road contest of the season for the ‘Dores, who were winless in six games away from home last season.
“The routine doesn’t shift a ton [on the road], but the spaces do,” Lea said. “We’re in a different hotel. We’re away from our home facility. Those things can matter if you want them to matter. Ultimately, good teams play to the standard no matter where the ball is put down. That is the mindset or the approach we want to take.”