KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) – In a traditional end to the regular season, the Tennessee Volunteers faced off against their state rivals, the Vanderbilt Commodores.
Last year, Tennessee’s matchup with Vanderbilt was crucial for securing their spot in the College Football Playoff. This time around, it was the Volunteers who had a chance to derail Vanderbilt’s playoff aspirations. Unfortunately for Tennessee, the tables turned as Vanderbilt secured a decisive 45-24 victory, marking their first win against the Vols since 2018.
The game began with Tennessee struggling to find their rhythm, resulting in a three-and-out on their opening drive. Meanwhile, Vanderbilt wasted no time, advancing swiftly into the red zone on their initial possession.
The Volunteers’ defense, however, made a significant play when Edrees Farooq intercepted a pass from Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia at the one-yard line. Although Farooq lost the ball during the play, Ty Redmond was quick to recover, allowing Tennessee to regain possession at their own 20-yard line.
Tennessee’s second drive was much more successful compared to the first. DeSean Bishop led the way, rushing for 42 yards on six carries and capped it off with a two-yard touchdown run to give the Vols a 7-0 lead. Braylon Staley also racked up 30 yards on three catches on the drive.
Vanderbilt responded on its second drive to tie the game as Sedrick Alexander found the endzone on a 28-yard touchdown run.
The Commodores’ defense stopped the Vols on their next drive, as Joey Aguilar was sacked for a loss of nine yards on third down.
Vandy’s offense quickly got to work with back-to-back 32- and 37-yard receptions to put them in the red zone. Pavia rushed for 11 yards before Makhilyn Young punched it in from three yards out to give the Commodores their first lead, 14-7.
Tennessee responded with a four-play scoring drive, highlighted by a 52-yard touchdown pass from Aguilar to Chris Brazzell. It marked Brazzell’s ninth touchdown of the season.
The Vols quickly got the ball back as Ty Redmond picked off a Pavia deep pass. It marked the Vandy quarterback’s second interception of the first half.
Tennessee took advantage of the turnover as Bishop broke free on a 35-yard touchdown run to give the Vols a 21-14 lead. It marked Bishop’s second score of the afternoon.
Vandy tied the game at 21 before the halftime break. It looked like Tennessee’s defense got the third down stop, but a Jalen McMurray roughing the passer penalty gave the Commodores a first down, which they capitalized on. Pavia found Tre Richardson in the endzone to even things up as both teams headed into the locker room.
Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar (6) throws a touchdown pass as he’s pressured by Vanderbilt safety Randon Fontenette (2) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea watches as his team warms up before an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee running back Desean Bishop, with the ball, dives over the goal for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) throws to a receiver during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Vanderbilt running back Sedrick Alexander (28) outruns Tennessee linebacker Arion Carter (7) for. touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee running back Desean Bishop (18) celebrates scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Vanderbilt wide receiver Tre Richardson (6) catches a touchdown pass ahead of Tennessee defensive back Ty Redmond (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee running back Desean Bishop crosses the goal for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) dives forward as he’s tackled by Tennessee defensive back Andre Turrentine (2) and defensive back Jalen McMurray (6) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) throws as he is hit by Tennessee defensive lineman Dominic Bailey (90) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee running back Desean Bishop celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee running back Desean Bishop runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar (6) looks for a receiver during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Florida, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea, right, and Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel talk before an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
The Commodores took the lead out of the break thanks to an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. Sedrick Alexander ran it in from five yards out to give Vanderbilt a 28-21 lead with 8:25 left in the third quarter.
Vandy then extended its lead to 10 points on a 35-yard field goal from Knoxville Catholic alum Brock Taylor.
Tennessee then marched down the field on a couple of Chris Brazell catches, but Mike Matthews dropped what would have been an easy touchdown so the Vols had to settle for a field goal. Max Gilbert hit the 25-yarder to pull Tennessee within a touchdown, 31-24.
However, the Commdores struck again, this time on a 24-yard touchdown run from Pavia to extend Vanderbilt’s lead to 38-24.
After a failed, 9-play drive by the Vols, Alexander picked up his third touchdown of the game with a 39-yard run. The successful extra point brought the score up to 45-24.
UP NEXT: The Vols finish the regular season 8-4 and now wait to see which bowl game they will be playing in.
