Commodores clobber Georgia State 70-21 on Saturday night
The Commodores clobbered Georgia State 70-21 on Saturday night in a highly anticipated revenge game, evening the series between the teams at one win a piece. The 70 points put up by Vanderbilt was the most they’ve achieved in 107 years, and matched the most points allowed by Georgia State in a game since their transition to the FBS level in 2010.
Firing on all cylinders 🔥 pic.twitter.com/CNEDqCZWET
— #18 Vanderbilt Football (@VandyFootball) September 21, 2025
Georgia State had a productive first drive of the game and seemed to be marching down the field before penalties caused the drive to stall out, leading to a 52-yard field goal by Braeden McAlister. That would see the Panthers go ahead 3-0 early in the first quarter.
The Commodores had an efficient ensuing drive taking the ball 75 yards down the field in eight plays, capping it off with a 3-yard touchdown run by Sedrick Alexander and putting Vanderbilt out in the drivers seat. The drivers seat is where they would remain the rest of the game.
Panther’s quarterback TJ Finley would go 22-for-35 with 176 yards through the air and two touchdowns. This was also his first game without an interception since joining Georgia State. Finley’s biggest play was a 32-yard touchdown strike to DJ Riles at the end of the game to give the Panthers something to build on for next week. Wide receiver Ted Hurst had himself a solid game against a strong secondary, reeling in seven catches for 71 yards but was held scoreless on the night.
The GSU rushing attack couldn’t penetrate the Vanderbilt defense up the middle, only accumulating 32 yards on the ground and headlined by senior running back Rashad Amos, who had five carries and racked up 25 yards.
The Panther’s defense had no answers for the Vanderbilt offense, failing to force a turnover or register a sack as a unit. They allowed a whopping 636 total yards to the Commodores and couldn’t get off the field on third down. Vanderbilt converted 6-of-10 third down tries. The most productive player on the defense was junior linebacker Josiah Robinson, notching nine tackles (four solo) and a tackle for loss.
Vanderbilt quarterback David Pavia lead the Commodores in passing and rushing. Through the air, Pavia went 18-for-24 with 245 yards plus a passing touchdown while on the ground he had eight carries for 86 yards and a rushing touchdown.
DORES ADD 6 pic.twitter.com/JFfIC63Re6
— #18 Vanderbilt Football (@VandyFootball) September 21, 2025
The Commodore rushing offense took full advantage of Georgia State’s bottom ranked rushing defense, accumulating 287 yards and eight touchdowns as a unit. Seven different rushers found the endzone against the Panthers and three accumulated at least 60 yards for the day. The longest run of the day coming from senior running back Mackhilyn Young, who took it 60 yards to the house in the middle of the third quarter.
Vanderbilt stood tall on defense, only allowing GSU to convert 6-of-16 third down tries and 18 first downs overall. Senior defensive lineman Miles Capers lead the charge with three tackles (two solo), 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss.
Georgia State will lick their wounds and head into the bye week. They will prepare to open up conference play against the James Madison Dukes.
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