Weather Delay Can’t Stop Vanderbilt’s Dominance! Pavia Shines as Commodores Lead 35-13 in Birmingham Bowl!

Vanderbilt’s Birmingham Bowl game against Georgia Tech experienced a weather delay on Friday due to lightning strikes in the area. The delay occurred with 7:17 left in the fourth quarter and Vanderbilt leading 35-13. Play was paused shortly after 5:30 p.m. CT, and the game resumed nearly an hour later, at 6:27 p.m. According to NCAA regulations, whenever lightning is detected within eight miles of a stadium, fans must evacuate, and the game cannot continue until 30 minutes after the last lightning strike. This safety protocol was followed at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, where a message on the video board assured fans that the game had not been canceled despite the delay. Vanderbilt’s quarterback, Diego Pavia, had a standout performance, accounting for five touchdowns. Pavia threw for three touchdowns and ran for two, playing a key role in Vanderbilt’s dominant performance. The Commodores (6-6) had scored 21 unanswered points after Georgia Tech (7-5) kicked a field goal early in the third quarter, making the score 14-13 at that point. Vanderbilt then pulled away to take full control of the game. Before the delay, Georgia Tech had possession of the ball on Vanderbilt’s 24-yard line, and fans awaited the resumption of play to see if the Yellow Jackets could mount a comeback. Georgia Tech had been held scoreless since their field goal, as Vanderbilt’s defense stepped up, while their offense continued to find success. The delay added an unexpected pause to an otherwise rain-soaked contest. Weather conditions at Protective Stadium had been difficult, with steady rainfall throughout much of the game. However, both teams had managed to play through the rain until the lightning delay. This was not the first time Vanderbilt experienced a weather-related delay in recent memory. The Commodores’ game against Wake Forest in 2023 also had a significant lightning delay, lasting two hours. Given these experiences, Vanderbilt players and fans were familiar with the wait and knew that patience was required during such situations. When the game resumed, fans and players alike were eager to see if Georgia Tech could overcome their deficit or if Vanderbilt would hold on for the win. Despite the rain and the delay, the Commodores were in control for much of the second half, driven by Pavia’s stellar performance. The delay, while frustrating for fans, didn’t dampen Vanderbilt’s momentum on the field, and their commanding lead put them in a strong position to secure a win. The Commodores, aiming for a .500 season finish at 6-6, were on the verge of victory as play resumed following the delay. In summary, Vanderbilt’s Birmingham Bowl game against Georgia Tech was delayed for just under an hour due to lightning, with Vanderbilt leading 35-13 in the fourth quarter. Diego Pavia’s outstanding performance, accounting for five touchdowns, put Vanderbilt in a strong position as the game continued after the weather cleared. Both teams battled through steady rain, but it was the Commodores who had the upper hand as the game moved toward its conclusion.