Vanderbilt fans knew what was at stake in their Birmingham Bowl game against Georgia Tech.

Yes, that trophy was up for grabs, along with a little-known silver-plated cowbell awarded to the winner of games between these two programs and bearing the name of the winning team and the result of the competition, but it was something different from this one Team really looks at it.

With a win on December 27, the Commodores would complete their first winning season in 11 years.

Not many analysts believed Vanderbilt could accomplish this feat with multiple picks favoring Georgia Tech, but after a hard-fought first half, the Commodores were able to maintain the upper hand with a 35-27 win.

Diego Pavia was once again the difference maker for Vanderbilt.

The star quarterback accounted for all five touchdowns scored by the offense and finished the game with 160 passing yards and three scores through the air, while also adding 85 more yards and two touchdowns on the ground before bowing out .

Doing your best when the stakes are highest has been a cornerstone of his tenure in Nashville.

While the Yellow Jackets were without some of their best players due to the transfer portal – most notably star Eric Singleton Jr. – the Commodores were still able to put up a good defensive performance, which was also a big reason why they got this win.

Vanderbilt struck first with a touchdown after a long drive, and Georgia Tech responded with a score of its own, but as the Commodores immediately fought back and took a 14-7 lead, the defense made its presence felt.

As the Yellow Jackets looked to tie the game late in the first half, they kept Georgia Tech out of the end zone by preventing them from making a field goal.

And when Vanderbilt’s offense stalled with two straight punts from the locker room after the Yellow Jackets were able to score another field to make the score 14-13, the defense forced a three-pointer.

This change in momentum led the Commodores to score a much-needed touchdown.

But it wasn’t until the next possession, when senior safety CJ Taylor intercepted a pass from Haynes King and returned it to the Georgia Tech 11-yard line, that Vanderbilt managed to get the separation they needed for their winning season.

Three plays after the interception, the Commodores scored another touchdown and never looked back.

After reaching the end zone, the defense forced a fumble to set up their offense for another scoring opportunity, which they took advantage of as Pavia went for his second touchdown with just under 10 minutes to play.

Unfortunately, Vanderbilt had to wait a while to celebrate this victory due to a weather delay due to lightning in the area.

After a lengthy absence from the field, Georgia Tech ended its long drive with a touchdown and was able to score again after a Vanderbilt punt, but it was too little, too late.

The Yellow Jackets attempted an onside kick, but it went out of bounds.

This is a huge win for this Vanderbilt program.

Not only is it the culmination of their best season in over a decade, but it is also the best performance they have put in under head coach Clark Lea and a signal that they are moving in the right direction under his leadership.

With Pavia now back for 2025, the outlook for the Commodores next year is extremely bright.