Live Blog: Vanderbilt Football at Virginia Tech

BLACKSBURG, Va..- Vanderbilt is looking to avoid revenge from its opponent tonight.

Last season, Vanderbilt surprised Virginia Tech in the first week of the 2024 season by taking down the Hokies 34-27 in overtime. It was Pavia’s first game as well as all the other players and coaches that came from New Mexico State and elsewhere.

This time around, the Commodores have an established identity on offense and defense. That may help Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry having a lot more familiarity with Vanderbilt this year, but the Commodores have proven that even with plenty of tape, they are not easy to prepare for.

Speaking of having an unfamiliar roster last season, this season Virginia Tech is the team with more unfamiliarity. The Hokies come in with only five of the same starters it had in last season’s game. But one of those same starters is quarterback Kyron Drones, a dual-threat quarterback in his own right.

Vanderbilt is coming off a 45-3 win over Charleston Southern while Virginia Tech lost its first game 24-11 to South Carolina. One advantage that could play into the hands of Vanderbilt is the extra rest. Not only did Vanderbilt play the day before Virginia Tech played in its neutral site game, but the Commodores rested its starters for the majority of the second half in last week’s game.

Going into tonight’s game, Vanderbilt enters as slight underdogs (+2.5 points) according to CBS Sports. Weather may play a factor, but Saturday night is sure to be a big game for two teams that are vying for a quality power conference victory that could end up having bowl game implications late in the year.

Kickoff between Vanderbilt and Virginia Tech is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. CT. Follow the live blog here for live updates.

Live Blog

Be sure to refresh your browser for live updates from Vanderbilt vs. Virginia Tech. The most recent updates will appear at the top.

4th Quarter

FINAL: Vanderbilt wins 44-20.

We have another Jamezell Lassiter play. He caught a screen pass from Blaze Berlowitz and runs it 26 yards to the Virginia Tech 8-yard line.

The stands have emptied at Lane Stadium here. This crowd did not expect to see their team give up 27 unanswered in the second half. The momentum shift in this game has been palpable since Vanderbilt took the lead.

MK Young comes up with a 62-yard run and Vanderbilt has it on the 10 followed up by a Alexander rushing touchdown. Vanderbilt goes up 3 scores as it is 37-20 Vanderbilt. It is as if a switch flipped in the locker room because the entire game shifted into Vanderbilt's favor.

CJ Heard comes up with a big time sack on third down. Nobody saw him coming at all, Heard had a free shot at Drones on that one. Hight fair catches it at his own 28-yard line. Vanderbilt can put the nail in the coffin with a touchdown here, or just chewing clock. 7:44 to go.

What a drive for Vanderbilt. The Commodores march down the field and Alexander runs it in from 18 yards out for a touchdown. Vanderbilt is up 30-20 with 10:13 to go. Just a total difference from the first half with these rushing lanes.

Vanderbilt gets the third down stop it needed to start the fourth, but nearly touches the ball off the punt. Fortunately, Vanderbilt keeps the ball on its own 44. Got to think a touchdown here would really make it difficult for Virginia Tech to come back.

3rd Quarter

Sydnor gets a huge sack on the final play of the third quarter. Virginia Tech backed up to 3rd and 23 now to start the fourth.

Oh my goodness Tre Richardson just came up with another unreal grab in the end zone for a touchdown. Vanderbilt is in front for the first time tonight after the play is upheld, but the extra point is missed. 23-20 Vanderbilt.

What incredible play from Richardson to make a catch down the sideline while falling down. On top of that, Virginia Tech roughed up Pavia, so tack on 15 more yards. Vanderbilt is in business on the Virginia Tech 30.

Back-to-back 5-yard penalties sets Vanderbilt back at 1st and 20 from its own 27 now. Potential drive killer right there.

Vanderbilt forces a three-and-out to open the half defensively. All of the sudden Vanderbilt can take the lead here. Another big time drive coming up.

Richardson's speed finally shows up in a big way taking an end around to the 1-yard line and MK Young capping the drive off with a touchdown. 20-17 Virginia Tech. That was a huge and much needed drive coming out of halftime. Offensive line got great push, too. Let's see if the defense can do the same.

Pavia's improvisation on this oopening drive has been impressive to see. Pitching it backward and forward to receivers that move the ball down the field. Vanderbilt now on the Virginia Tech 34-yard line.

2nd Quarter

Vanderbilt holds Virginia Tech to a field goal going into halftime. Nonetheless, the third down penalty still costs Vanderbilt 3 more points as it goes back to a two score game. HALFTIME: 20-10 Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech gets one third down conversion and then another after a Vanderbilt holding call. Massive mistake for the Commodores. Had a chance to get off the field, but a penalty keeps the defense on the field.

Another big third down coming for the Vanderbilt defense at the Vandy 49-yard line after the two-minute timeout. Could be the difference between going into half down one score or two scores.

Pavia throws an incomplete pass on 3rd-and-4 from the 11, but Brock Taylor hits a 29-yard field goal. 17-10 Virginia Tech.

Sedrick Alexander gets a first down run up the middle to the Virginia Tech 31 via an early hurdle from Alexander.

Drones is making it look too easy against the Vanderbilt defense. He runs it in from a yard out as Vanderbilt now trails 17-7. The fumbles costs the Commodores 7 points, a huge swing in the game.

Virginia Tech stuck with its decision to go for it on 4th-and-1 and it paid off as Drones runs it up the middle to the 10-yard line. Critical miss on the defense there.

Sedrick Alexander fumbles the ball after getting hit at the line of scrimmage and Virginia Tech picks it up. That is the second turnover of the night for Vanderbilt.

Vanderbilt forces a three-and-out on defense. A huge offensive possession here for the Commodores. The crowd has quickly been taken out of the game for the moment, it is time for the offense to capitalize.

What a way to start the second quarter as Pavia slides to the right and finds a wide open Brycen Coleman down the sideline for a walk-in touchdown. 10-7 Virginia Tech.

1st Quarter

Drones runs the play actions and throws a touchdown on 3rd-and-goal. 10-0 Virginia Tech as it moves to 5-for-6 on third downs.

Kyron Drones is doing whatever he wants to against this Vanderbilt defense early on. Just ran 44 yards on the last two plays and the Hokies have it on the 1.

Pavia steps back to throw in pressure while running out of the pocket, but throws an interception to Virginia Tech's Quentin Reddish. Hokies take over as their own 15-yard line. Brutal way to turn the ball over right after a 3rd down conversion.

Pavia throws a dart to Junior Sherrill on 3rd and 9 to keep the drive alive. Felt like Vanderbilt needed that one just to get the crowd to settle down a little bit.

Despite the defense being out there for the first 7:54 of the game, Vanderbilt did a great job minimizing the damage to just three points. Third down defense looks to be an early storyline to keep an eye on.

Virginia Tech hits on a 29-yard field for the game's first points. Virginia Tech leads 3-0.

On 3rd and 9, Kyron Drones completed a pass to the 1-yard line that was reviewed, but was overturned. Vanderbilt gets a crucial third down stop in a drive that has lasted almost eight minutes.

Virginia Tech gets its third consecutive third down conversion. 1st down on the 12.

Virginia Tech makes its way into Vanderbilt territory. Khordae Sydnor jumped offsides as the defense was caught off guard.

Vanderbilt has won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. Vanderbilt on defense first.

Pregame

Backup tight end Cole Spence is in a knee brace as well as in uniform and is expected to play, according to Vanderbilt Commodores On SI's Joey Dwyer. However, Spence may not be at 100% tonight.

Wide receiver Junior Sherrill is in uniform, but has a brace on his knee. Clark Lea said Thursday he was listed as probable but should play.

Diego Pavia's family is here in Blacksburg with a Vanderbilt flag with Pavia's name on it.

Vanderbilt Commodores On SI's Joey Dwyer and Graham Baakko broke down tonight's matchup pregame. Follow here to watch the full breakdown.

Lineman are warming up and stretching in the end zone. Kickoff is 81 minutes away!

Diego Pavia is warming up and throwing to tight end Eli Stowers on side of the field to the right of the midfield logo.

Vanderbilt rolled into Lane Stadium around 5 p.m. local time. Diego Pavia was jamming to some music on the way in.

Weather Report

It is a cloudy evening here in Blacksburg. There is potential for rain for later in the game, but the radar as of right now looks to be south of Blacksburg. Other than that, it is a great night for football temperature-wise. It is set to be 71 degrees at kickoff and dip down into the mid-60s by the end of the night.