NASHVILLE – Quarterbacks Ashton Daniels and Diego Pavia both put on a show before No. 15 Vanderbilt prevailed 45-38 in overtime Saturday at FirstBank Stadium.
Pavia opened the extra period with a 4-yard jump pass for a touchdown, giving Auburn a chance for a game-tying score, but Daniels’ fourth-and-7 pass from the 12-yard line fell incomplete.
Trailing 38-30 midway through the fourth quarter, Daniels threw to Cam Coleman, who made a spectacular, one-handed 23-yard touchdown catch to pull the Tigers within two points.
Daniels targeted Coleman again for a game-tying 2-point conversion, evening the score at 38-38 with 5:27 to play as chants of “Let’s go Auburn!” made it feel like the Tigers were playing at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
A thorn in Auburn’s side three years running, Pavia attempted to lead Vanderbilt on a game-winning drive, but the Bryce Deas stopped him for a 3-yard loss on fourth-and-1 from the Tigers’ 25-yard line after the Commodores elected not to attempt a 42-yard field goal.
Auburn advanced to Vanderbilt’s 43-yard line but Daniels’ end zone heave fell incomplete on the final play of regulations to send the teams to overtime.
On the game’s opening possession, Auburn forced a punt after Vanderbilt crossed midfield, giving the Tigers the ball on their own 11-yard line.
Ashton Daniels completed three third-down passes, including a 39-yard screen to Malcolm Simmons on third-and-19.
Daniels completed 5 of 6 passes for 81 yards on the drive, giving Auburn a 7-0 lead on a 14-yard touchdown pass to Eric Singleton Jr. to cap the 13-play, 89-yard drive.
Vanderbilt (8-2, 4-2) answered with a drive that consumed 7 minutes and 15 seconds over 13 plays. After the Commodores reached the Tigers’ 10-yard line, Auburn bottled up Diego Pavia twice on rushes, leading to a 23-yard field goal and a 7-3 Tigers’ lead.
Daniels continued to cook on Auburn’s second drive, going 3-for-3 and picking up first downs on passes to Singleton, Jeremiah Cobb and Cam Coleman. Daniels gave Auburn a 14-3 lead with an 11-yard touchdown run.
The Tigers stopped Vanderbilt’s third drive when Dallas Walker IV forced a fumble that Keldric Faulk recovered. Cobb gained 34 yards on consecutive rushes, setting up Alex McPherson’s 26-yard field to give Auburn a 17-3 lead with 1:52 to play in the half.
Pavia needed only three plays to put the Commodores in the end zone, cutting the Tigers’ lead to 17-10 on a 20-yard touchdown pass to Junior Sherrill.
With 1:15 to work with, Cobb started the drive with an 18-yard run and McPherson ended the half by matching his season long with a 47-yard field goal, putting the Tigers on top 20-10 at the half.
Auburn went three-and-out to open the second half and Pavia continued to make explosive plays with his legs and arm before Sedrick Alexander pulled Vanderbilt within three points with a 4-yard touchdown rush.
Coleman’s highlight reel toe-tap catch gained 32 yards and led to McPherson’s third field goal of the game and his 10th consecutive make, a 38-yarder that gave Auburn a 23-17 lead at the 9:15 mark of the third quarter.
Vanderbilt quickly claimed a 24-23 lead on Pavia’s 57-yard touchdown pass to Tre Richardson midway through the third quarter.
After an exchange of punts, Auburn reclaimed a 30-24 lead on Daniels’ second rushing touchdown, a 16-yarder with 1:11 remaining in the third quarter.
Pavia quickly responded once again, leading Vanderbilt on a 75-yard touchdown drive, putting the Commodores ahead 31-30 with a 7-yard run at the 14:05 mark of the fourth quarter.
After Auburn went three-and-out, Pavia led the Commodores on their fourth touchdown drive of the second half, with Alexander giving Vanderbilt a 38-30 lead on a 9-yard rush with 7:57 left in the game.
After an off week, Auburn (4-6, 1-6) returns to Jordan-Hare Stadium Nov. 22 at 1 p.m. CT on SEC Netowrk+ and the Auburn Sports Network.
