Diego Pavia can't complete comeback, Vanderbilt football falls to Texas, Arch Manning

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

AUSTIN ― Vanderbilt football made a valiant attempt at a comeback at Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium in a Nov. 1 matchup, but a poor start was ultimately too much to overcome as the Commodores fell, 34-31.

The Commodores (7-2, 3-2 SEC) aren't out of playoff consideration yet, but their margin for error is gone as they've dropped their last two road games.

Diego Pavia played better than he did a week ago against Missouri, but Vanderbilt's defense didn't hold up its end of the bargain. Texas quarterback Arch Manning consistently found open receivers for short passes that gained yards after the catch.

After Pavia found the end zone in the fourth quarter, the Longhorns fans in the Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium crowd began chanting "overrated."

Down 18 late in the fourth quarter, Vanderbilt scored two touchdowns to get within three, but a final onside kick attempt failed as Texas kneeled out the game.

Vanderbilt returns home to face Auburn at FirstBank Stadium on Nov. 8 (3 p.m. CT, SEC Network).

Bad start for Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt got off to just about the worst possible start in the game. First, the Commodores gave up a 75-yard touchdown on a screen pass to Ryan Wingo on the first play from scrimmage. When Vanderbilt got the ball, Diego Pavia was sacked and fumbled in Commodores territory.

By the end of the first quarter, Texas was up 17-0. Vanderbilt finally got on the board with a field goal early in the second quarter, but the Longhorns marched right back down the field for another touchdown.

Diego Pavia vs Arch Manning stats

Pavia was 27-for-38 passing for 365 yards and three touchdowns. He had eight rush attempts for 82 yards, not including sacks. He was sacked six times for 39 yards and had a fumble. The six sacks marked the most Pavia has been sacked in a game in his college football career.

Manning was 25-for-33 for 378 yards and three touchdowns. He was not sacked and did not have any turnovers. He had one rushing attempt for four yards, not including kneel-downs.

Vanderbilt struggles on both lines

Both Vanderbilt's offensive and defensive lines put up a poor performance. Texas is known for having one of the best defensive lines in the conference, but the Commodores' offensive line was repeatedly overwhelmed as Pavia was frequently under pressure.

On defense, Vanderbilt couldn't get pressure on Manning, something the Longhorns quarterback has tended to struggle with. That allowed Manning to get the ball out quickly for short passes to his speedy receivers.

Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt football falls to Texas, Arch Manning gets better of Diego Pavia

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos