NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — In a high-octane offensive showcase, the Vanderbilt Commodores remained undefeated Saturday by outlasting the Utah State Aggies 55-35 before 33,688 fans at FirstBank Stadium.

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia delivered a masterful performance, accounting for five touchdowns to power the Commodores to their fourth consecutive victory. Utah State, which entered the game as a 23.5-point underdog despite being favored by some metrics, saw its record fall to 3-1.

The game was a tale of explosive quarters and defensive adjustments. Utah State struck first, capping an efficient opening drive with an 18-yard touchdown pass from Bryson Barnes to Miles Davis. Vanderbilt responded late in the first quarter as Pavia connected with Junior Sherrill for a 21-yard score, knotting the game at 7-7.

The second quarter, however, belonged entirely to Vanderbilt. The Commodores erupted for 24 points, overwhelming the Aggies with a relentless offensive attack. Pavia showcased his dual-threat ability, rushing for a 6-yard touchdown and then firing two more scoring strikes to Sherrill, from 18 and 18 yards. The Aggies managed to keep pace for a time, with Barnes finding Josh Sterzer for a 10-yard touchdown and Braden Pegan for a 9-yard score with just 15 seconds left in the half.

But Pavia engineered a lightning-fast response, scrambling for 33 yards to set up a 46-yard field goal by Brock Taylor as time expired, giving Vanderbilt a 31-21 lead at the intermission.

Vanderbilt seized full control in the third quarter, effectively putting the game out of reach by adding 17 more points. Pavia continued his dominance, hitting Eli Stowers for a 10-yard touchdown pass. After a John Miller sack forced a Vanderbilt field goal, Pavia launched a 53-yard touchdown bomb to Richie Hoskins, extending the lead to 48-21.

Utah State switched quarterbacks in the fourth quarter, with Jacob Conover providing a spark. He led two scoring drives, connecting with Brady Boyd and Javen Jacobs for touchdowns. However, Vanderbilt’s defense, which recorded three sacks on the day, stifled any hope of a dramatic comeback. Linus Zunk was a persistent force off the edge for the Commodores, notching two sacks. The game was sealed when Vanderbilt backup Makhilyn Young rushed for a 15-yard touchdown midway through the final period.

Pavia finished an efficient 26 of 34 passing for 321 yards and four touchdowns through the air, adding 79 rushing yards and another score on the ground. Stowers was his primary target, hauling in six catches for 68 yards and a touchdown.

For Utah State, the quarterback duo of Barnes and Conover combined for five touchdown passes. Barnes was 15 of 22 for 161 yards and three scores before being relieved by Conover, who went 11 of 14 for 92 yards and two touchdowns. Tight end Broc Lane was a bright spot with seven receptions for 98 yards. Defensively, linebackers John Miller and Noah Avinger each recorded 12 tackles for the Aggies.

The victory sets up a significant SEC test for Vanderbilt, which travels to face Alabama on Oct. 4. Utah State, which saw a three-game winning streak snapped, enters its bye week before resuming Mountain West Conference play at Hawaii on Oct. 11.