The Alabama Crimson Tide Football vs Vanderbilt Football Match Player Stats on October 5, 2024, was nothing short of stunning. Played at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Vanderbilt pulled off a massive 40–35 upset over top-ranked Alabama. This wasn’t just a regular win — it was a moment that shook up the SEC and gave Commodore fans a game to remember for years. Before this game, Vanderbilt hadn’t beaten Alabama since 1984, and the Tide came into the match undefeated and ranked #1 in the country.
This surprising outcome made headlines across the country and showed that underdogs can rise to the occasion when it matters most. Alabama came in with high hopes but left with disappointment after a game where Vanderbilt’s offense, defense, and time management aligned perfectly. Vandy broke a 40-year curse, handed Alabama their first loss of the season, and sent a powerful message across college football: no game is guaranteed, no matter the ranking.
Table of Contents
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Alabama Crimson Tide vs Vanderbilt |
| Date | October 5, 2024 |
| Final Score | Vanderbilt 40 – Alabama 35 |
| Location | FirstBank Stadium, Nashville |
| Result | Historic Upset by Vanderbilt |
| Last Vandy Win Over Alabama | 1984 |
Key Player Stats: Alabama vs Vanderbilt
The heart of any great football game lies in the player stats, and the Alabama Crimson Tide vs Vanderbilt football match delivered some impressive individual performances. For Alabama, quarterback Jalen Milroe threw for over 300 yards, showing his ability to make big plays. However, his single interception and the team’s inability to keep drives alive cost them in the end. Running back Jam Miller made the most of his limited touches with 2 touchdowns, and Ryan Williams led the receiving corps with 82 yards and a score, showing why he’s one of Alabama’s most trusted targets.
On the other side, Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia was the true game-changer. He threw for 252 yards and 2 touchdowns and added another 56 yards rushing, proving to be a dual-threat problem for Alabama. Sedrick Alexander ran hard with 64 yards and 2 rushing touchdowns, giving Vanderbilt consistent production on the ground. Wide receiver Eli Stowers exploded with 113 receiving yards, helping stretch the field and open up the offense. Vanderbilt’s top performers stepped up when it mattered most — making the difference in this unforgettable showdown.
Player Stats Table – Alabama Crimson Tide
| Player | Position | Pass Yds | Pass TDs | INTs | Rush Yds | Rush TDs | Rec Yds | Rec TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen Milroe | QB | 310 | 1 | 1 | 22 | 0 | – | – |
| Jam Miller | RB | – | – | – | 45 | 2 | – | – |
| Ryan Williams | WR | – | – | – | – | – | 82 | 1 |
| Germie Bernard | WR | – | – | – | – | – | 54 | 0 |
Player Stats Table – Vanderbilt Commodores
| Player | Position | Pass Yds | Pass TDs | INTs | Rush Yds | Rush TDs | Rec Yds | Rec TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diego Pavia | QB | 252 | 2 | 0 | 56 | 0 | – | – |
| Sedrick Alexander | RB | – | – | – | 64 | 2 | – | – |
| Eli Stowers | WR | – | – | – | – | – | 113 | 1 |
| Junior Sherrill | WR | – | – | – | – | – | 44 | 1 |
Comparative Team Metrics & Third-Down Dominance
Beyond individual stats, this matchup showed a massive difference in team-level execution, especially on third downs and clock control. Alabama had more explosive plays, but Vanderbilt was the more consistent and strategic team. The Commodores converted 12 of 18 third-down attempts, which allowed them to extend drives, control the tempo, and wear down the Alabama defense. On the other side, Alabama only converted 5 of 6 third downs, showing they were efficient in moments but didn’t have enough opportunities.
The total yardage was relatively even — Alabama with 394 yards and Vanderbilt with 418 — but the real difference came from turnovers and possession. Alabama gave up the ball twice, while Vanderbilt didn’t turn the ball over once. That kind of clean performance usually wins games, and in this case, it absolutely did. Football isn’t always about highlight plays — it’s about consistency, and Vanderbilt executed better when it mattered most.
Team Metrics Comparison
| Metric | Alabama | Vanderbilt |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 394 | 418 |
| Passing Yards | 310 | 252 |
| Rushing Yards | 84 | 166 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
| Third-Down Conversions | 5/6 | 12/18 |
| Time of Possession | 17:52 | 42:08 |
Game Flow & Critical Moments
From the kickoff, it was clear that this game wasn’t going to follow the script. Vanderbilt’s defense scored early with a pick-six by Randon Fontenette, giving them quick momentum. Alabama responded with powerful drives led by Jalen Milroe, but they couldn’t pull away. As the game went on, Vanderbilt’s offense stayed patient, methodical, and effective, constantly answering Alabama’s scores with scores of their own.
The critical turning point came in the 4th quarter when Alabama fumbled while trailing by 5 points. Vanderbilt took advantage, running down the clock with a long drive and ending it with a field goal to extend their lead. Alabama tried to mount a comeback, but with just seconds left and out of timeouts, they couldn’t convert a deep pass into a final score. That final play sealed the deal for Vanderbilt and set off celebrations across Nashville.
Momentum Factors: Time of Possession & Play Count
One of the biggest reasons Vanderbilt beat Alabama was time of possession. While Alabama had just under 18 minutes of ball control, Vanderbilt dominated with over 42 minutes. This meant Alabama’s defense stayed on the field far longer, got tired, and couldn’t stop key third downs late in the game. Vanderbilt’s smart play-calling and time-consuming drives made a big difference.
This domination was also shown in the number of plays run. Vanderbilt ran over 75 offensive plays, compared to Alabama’s just 46. This stat is huge because it shows how Vanderbilt kept moving the chains, taking small gains, and avoiding quick turnovers. In football, the team that controls the ball the longest often controls the result — and that’s exactly what happened here.
Defensive Playmakers & Turnovers
The Vanderbilt defense stepped up early and often. One of the biggest plays came in the first quarter with Randon Fontenette’s interception return for a touchdown, which set the tone for the rest of the game. Throughout the match, Vanderbilt’s defense held strong in key red zone moments and limited big runs from Alabama’s backs.
Meanwhile, Alabama’s defense gave up more than 160 rushing yards and couldn’t force a single turnover. Their only sack came late in the game, and even then, Vanderbilt bounced back with another conversion. Alabama also committed costly penalties on third downs, allowing Vandy to extend drives. For a team known for elite defense, Alabama’s lack of aggression and Vanderbilt’s mistake-free football made all the difference.
Historical & Season Context
This match wasn’t just an upset — it was historic. The last time Vanderbilt defeated Alabama was in 1984, and they hadn’t even come close in decades. To make things more dramatic, this was also Alabama’s first loss of the 2024 season, and they were ranked #1 at the time. Vanderbilt, on the other hand, was unranked and coming off a two-game losing streak — making this upset even more shocking.
This game will be remembered as one of the biggest upsets in SEC history, and possibly one of the biggest in college football for the decade. The win gives Vanderbilt a shot at bowl game eligibility, while Alabama now has to fight to stay in playoff contention. The player stats from this game will be studied all season long — not just for game planning but also for NFL Draft scouts looking for talent.
What These Player Stats Reveal
Looking closely at the Alabama Crimson Tide vs Vanderbilt football match player stats, we can learn a lot about each team’s strength and weaknesses. Alabama had a stronger passing game with Milroe, but Vanderbilt’s balance between run and pass was more effective. Diego Pavia’s dual-threat performance was critical because it forced Alabama’s defense to cover the whole field.
Also, Vanderbilt’s ability to control the pace of the game through long drives, successful third downs, and mistake-free execution allowed them to overcome Alabama’s explosive plays. The lesson? Football is not only about stars and rankings — it’s about how well you execute your strategy for all four quarters. And in this case, Vanderbilt outperformed Alabama on both sides of the ball.
Conclusion
The Alabama Crimson Tide vs Vanderbilt football match player stats tell the story of an upset for the ages. Alabama brought the star power, but Vanderbilt brought the strategy, composure, and heart. From Diego Pavia’s dual-threat dominance to the third-down conversions and time control, every aspect of the Commodores’ plan worked perfectly. These stats are more than just numbers — they explain how an unranked underdog made history.
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