Diego Pavia injury update: Clark Lea addresses exit, return vs. Texas

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia was able to finish Saturday’s game against Texas, but he did go down with an injury during the second quarter and was briefly replaced by backup quarterback Nate Johnson.

Pavia was injured on a play where he scrambled, before being tackled by Jelani McDonald. He limped to the sideline and Johnson came in. But Pavia was able to return later in the drive and finished off the game.

Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea provided an update on his star quarterback after the 27-24 loss.

“You know, as far as I know, and we’ll need to get an assessment afterwards, so I don’t wanna comment on, you know, obviously he finished the game out. He was banged up there and needed attention,” Clark Lea said. “I thought Nate came in and was able to do a good job and get a conversion. But this is going to be Diego’s – the reality of him closing the season out. He’s taken hits. He’s played tough. I thought he was gutsy tonight in the way he led the offense at the end. And he’s a fighter.”

Diego Pavia has battled injuries throughout the season but has continued to play well. Earlier this year he led the Commodores to an upset win over Alabama, and Vanderbilt nearly pulled off another stunner this past Saturday, before falling 27-24. Clark Lea couldn’t say enough good things about his quarterback.

“It’s no surprise that he closed the game out. We’ll see where he is tonight and tomorrow and plot a course forward. But as we strand right now, I don’t foresee any time missed,” he said. “I think he’s a pretty resilient kid who’s tough, and I think he’s going to be OK.”

Diego Pavia was 16 for 29 passing for 143 yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions against Texas. He also led the Commodores with 67 rushing yards and another score.

Vanderbilt is 5-3 (2-2) on the season and needs one more win to become bowl eligible. Pavia is a big part of the reason why the Commodores are having such a strong year.

“He’s obviously a guy I have a ton of respect for. He’s a great tone setter in our program,” Lea said. “There’s a toughness there that very few in my coaching career I’ve seen exhibit. And you’re just never going to count him out.

“I promise you, we were just looking for that onside kick. And you feel like putting the offense back out, we’re going to have a great chance to close the game out. … We had our two timeouts left. Diego’s a special player, a special competitor, and we need to enjoy having him here for this final stretch.”