Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia willed the Commodores to victory over Virginia Tech on Saturday. A team that went 2-10 in 2023 began 2024 with an upset win in overtime as 13.5-point underdogs.
The fifth-year senior quarterback was named as the SEC’s Offensive Player of the Week after a gritty performance in the season-opener.
Pavia was excellent. Not only did he complete 12 of 19 pass attempts for 190 yards and two touchdowns without an interception, the 6-foot-0, 207-pound bowling ball ran for 104 yards and a score on 26 carries. Describing his play as excellent would be an understatement. Vanderbilt won because of the New Mexico State transfer.
When asked about about the performance, Diego Pavia revealed his motivation. The Hokies fueled his fire with a comparison to former Penn State quarterback and NFL journeyman Trace McSorley.
Some people from over there called me a poor man’s Trace McSorley. When you stop me, then you can talk.
— Diego Pavia
That quote obviously stuck with Pavia. He took the field with an extra chip on his shoulder and played out of his mind.
However, the actual quote from which he drew inspiration was actually a compliment.
Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry — who coached McSorley at Penn State — offered praise to Pavia earlier in the week. The comparison was not intended as a slight in any way, shape or form.
I think [linebacker Sam Brumfield’s] experience [playing against Pavia in the past] helps just to reaffirm what we all think when we watch him on film. This guy is an ultimate competitor. He’s tough as nails, you know, he extends plays, and he’s got no fear. He reminds me a little bit of a guy we had at Penn State named Trace McSorley, kind of the way he plays the game. Very determined quarterback, and Sam just has nothing but respect for Diego. He thinks he’s a heck of a quarterback, knows he’s going to play his guts out, and that those guys will play for him.
— Brent Pry
That was the entire quote.
Vanderbilt and Pavia somehow twisted those words into a slight. He took a flattering remark as an insult.
Shoutout to the coaching staff in Nashville. Clark Lea and his staff got their first-year quarterback fired up to play the Hokies by making up a quote that didn’t happen.
Nobody called Diego Pavia a “poor man’s Trace McSorley” at any point during the offseason, preseason, or game week. It never happened! Pry was trying to show his respect for the opposing signal-caller and ended up being the primary motivator for him to go sicko mode.