Pavia passes, runs for TDs as No. 12 Vanderbilt beats in-state rival No. 18 Tennessee 45-24

KNOXVILLE Tenn AP Diego Pavia threw for yards and a touchdown and ran for yards and another tally to lead No Vanderbilt to a - win over No Tennessee on Saturday Sedrick Alexander rushed for yards and three touchdowns and Vanderbilt - - SEC No CFP generated yards of total offense against its in-state rival while keeping its hopes for a berth in the College Football Playoff alive Joey Aguilar threw for yards and a TD for the Participants - - No CFP DeSean Bishop had rushing yards and two scores The competition was tied at at halftime before Alexander scored from yards out midway through the third quarter After a defensive stop by Vanderbilt Pavia broke free for a -yard TD run that gave the Commodores a assured lead Bishop piled up yards and a two TDs in the first half to help the Vols in the championship and tied at the break Pavia had passing yards and a TD while Aguilar threw for yards and a result The takeaway Vanderbilt The win over Tennessee will put various pressure on the CFP committee Most of of the projections have had Vandy missing out when it comes to one of the coveted spots But a win over the No group in the country should grab specific attention Vandy has a great story and a star in Diego Pavia all the elements for a step up to the next level Tennessee Ending the regular season with a loss to Vanderbilt is never a good thing for the Vols They no longer have an opportunity to have another -win season Losing at home against an in-state rival carries a deflating tone into the offseason Tennessee was flying high after its win over Florida but failed to maintain the momentum Facts and figures Earlier this week when word got out about Florida s interest in Vanderbilt s Clark Lea as its next head coach the Commodores responded by signing him to a six-year extension Aguilar threw for over yards in his th straight meeting He has over passing yards this season moving past Peyton Manning for No on Tennessee s single-season list Up next Vanderbilt and Tennessee will play their next games in the postseason Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top throughout the season Sign up here and here AP News mobile app AP college football https apnews com hub ap-top- -college-football-poll and https apnews com hub college-football Source