Birmingham Bowl fan runs on field, hits Heisman pose during lightning delay

While most fans made their way toward shelter after a weather delay paused action in the Birmingham Bowl on Friday night, one spectator rushed the field. With security half-heartedly chasing after him, the fan ran the length of the field, hit the Heisman pose and tossed a football into the stands before finally surrendering.

Although the shirtless assailant gave any fans watching a good laugh, there’s been no need for extra entertainment in the game. It’s been an action-packed slugfest between Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech, with the two teams nearly coming to blows on several occasions.

The tension between the two teams reached a boiling point in the third quarter when a scuffle broke out in Georgia Tech’s red zone. Alas, the officials broke up the brouhaha between the two teams before it could escalate any further.

Georgia Tech-Vandy currently in a weather delay. Some guy decided to:
-run the length of the field
-evade security
-hit the Heisman pose
-threw a football into the stands
-eventually gave himself up pic.twitter.com/D5AoqPBXff

— Sudu (@sudu_tv) December 27, 2024

As the fourth quarter began, Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea addressed the obvious tension between the two teams.

“It’s two competitive and tough teams,” Lea said. “Obviously, it’s getting a little chippy, but they’re playing hard. Both sides want to win, so that’s the first thing.

“It is about focusing. It is about the discipline, respect and spirit for us. We got to close the game out, which means we have to focus on our end, on execution, and doing things we need to do to finish against really good team.”

Pending any further delays, the Birmingham Bowl will resume at 7:30 p.m. ET. As of this report, the Commodores boast a 35-13 lead over Georgia Tech. If they can escape with the win, it’ll be their first bowl victory since 2013. The game will be on ESPN U when it resumes.

Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia was granted extra year of eligibility

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia helped set in motion the granting of a waiver from the NCAA that will allow players who previously played at the JUCO level an additional year of eligibility for the 2025-26 season.

Pavia was previously granted an additional season of eligibility after his motion for a preliminary injunction was approved by the U.S. District Court of Middle Tennessee. Monday, the NCAA Division I Board of Directors granted a waiver that will apply to athletes across every sport. 

Amid the credit he was receiving for the ruling, Pavia took to social media to react to the news.

“Don’t thank me, THANK GOD,” he wrote.