Vanderbilt begins post-Diego Pavia era with defeat of Austin Peay

Sep 5, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores edge Brian Allen Jr. (10) reacts after sacking Austin Peay Governors quarterback Chris Parson (not pictured) during the first half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images Blaze Berlowitz passed for 149 yards in his first career start at quarterback and added 45 yards rushing with a touchdown as Vanderbilt opened its season with a 28-9 victory over Austin Peay on Saturday at Nashville, Tenn. The game was called with 2:19 remaining, in an agreement between both head coaches, with lightning reported in the area. Sedrick Alexander rushed for 60 yards and a TD as the Commodores (1-0) got off to a successful start following a 7-0 record at home last season and a program-record 10 wins. Highly-touted freshman Jared Curtis received playing time in each half and went 7-of-9 passing for 60 yards as Vanderbilt began the process of replacing Heisman finalist quarterback Diego Pavia. Chris Parson passed for 116 yards and a touchdown, while Marvin Sims had six receptions for 55 yards for the Governors (1-1). Denver Harper caught a 24-yard TD pass from Parson. Brock Taylor made a 32-yard field goal to give Vanderbilt an early 3-0 lead following its opening drive of the season. Austin Peay turned its opening drive into a 75-yard march in seven plays that ended on Parson's TD pass to Harper for a 6-3 advantage. But Nick Guagliano's extra-point attempt was blocked by Yilanan Ouattara and Martel Hight returned the ball 88 yards for two points to pull the Commodores within 6-5. Taylor put Vanderbilt up for good, 8-6, on a 37-yard field goal early in the second quarter. Berlowitz added a 7-yard TD run as the Commodores led 15-6 at the midway point of the second quarter. Austin Peay pulled within 15-9 on a 51-yard field goal from Hamilton DiBoyan just before halftime. An 18-yard TD run from Alexander, along with a failed two-point conversion, put Vanderbilt up 21-9 with 5:24 remaining in the third quarter. A blocked Austin Peay punt early in the fourth quarter was returned 27 yards for a TD by linebacker Josiah Broxton to close out the scoring. --Field Level Media