For a team that hadn’t qualified for a bowl game since 2018, it was quite the milestone when Clark Lea and the Vanderbilt Commodores clinched bowl eligibility after their 17-7 win against Auburn last Saturday. But the head coach wants more. “These guys are hungry to take this as far as we can take it,” he said. But as they took on the Gamecocks this weekend, things didn’t go according to plan as Diego Pavia & Co. fell short by a country mile.

After the Commodores’ win over Auburn, Lea said, “I believe this team knows that in our conference, we can’t have a misplaced focus and expect to get the outcome we want.” The outcome Vanderbilt wanted was a win against South Carolina that would’ve ended a 15-game losing streak against them. And they were confident, considering this was the program’s best start to a season since 1982. However, the 7-28 loss to the Gamecocks was the biggest loss of their season, and their star quarterback Diego Pavia’s performance wasn’t anything to write home about.

But considering what the SEC’s social media channels looked like after the Commodores (6-4) lost, you would’ve thought the game was one of Pavia’s best showings.

While Pavia didn’t perform too well, neither did his teammates. The entire squad struggled on both sides. While the offense managed to register 274 yards (166 passing; 108 rushing), 16-of-31 pass completions, and a mere 5.4 yards per pass, the defense couldn’t quite find an answer for South Carolina (452 yards, 14-of-20 completions, and 11.9 yards per pass). Despite how dominant the Gamecocks were throughout the game (a win that made them bowl-eligible), the SEC posted a highlight of Diego Pavia instead of focusing on South Carolina.

Remember how the Eagles’ Saquon Barkley practically invented a new move with his backward hurdle over a Jaguars defender last week? Well, one of Diego Pavia’s plays during the loss against the Gamecocks was similar in that he, too, jumped over South Carolina’s No. 24. But instead of a backward jump, he jumped while running forward, only to be taken down by South Carolina defenders even before he landed.

The SEC Network’s official Instagram account shared Pavia’s play and captioned it, “DIEGO PAVIA IS AN ATHLETE 😤” Yes, it was a highlight-reel-worthy run. But some fans didn’t see it that way, which landed both the SEC Network and Pavia in hot water. “Too bad he can’t throw the ball,” a frustrated fan commented. What was he exactly trying to do? When he made the play, South Carolina was leading by 7 points. 

As for his stats for the entire game, Diego Pavia registered 166 passing yards with a 51.6$ pass completion rate. While he had 0 interceptions, he did get sacked 2 times. The quarterback also had 65 rushing yards and 1 rushing touchdown. In comparison, his South Carolina counterpart, LaNorris Sellers, threw for 238 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Later in the game, though, Diego Pavia suffered a lower-body injury. In the fourth quarter, he completed a pass to receiver Loic Fouonji on a third-and-17 play, which was called for offensive pass interference. Soon after that, quarterback Nate Johnson made the play and ran the ball, which led to a fourth down and punt. Unfortunately, after that, Pavia was helped off the field due to his injury.

After the defeat, head coach Clark Lea said, “Obviously, that was a tough night, tough result. I first want to credit (Gamecocks head coach) Shane [Beamer] and South Carolina. I thought they, obviously, were the better team, the more physical team, tonight. That was a three-phase a**-kicking and credit to them. On our end, it’s easy to be disappointed right now. I’m frustrated with coming up short… and also with the feeling that we didn’t represent ourselves the way that we wanted.”

After the SEC Network’s post, though, the criticism was aimed at Diego Pavia rather than the Vanderbilt Commodores.

Fans raise alarm bells: Is Diego Pavia “overrated”?

South Carolina took advantage of Pavia’s injury and did not give Vanderbilt a chance to take over. The backup player failed to get the ball back, and Pavia did not even return. However, Pavia tried his best to help Vanderbilt score. He made a 17-yard touchdown run in the third quarter and brought the score to 14-7. Considering this, a fan mocked him because he didn’t contribute much: “So good he could only get 7 points on the board.”

This season, he has dealt with several injuries, which included issues with his knee and shoulder. But he was seen back on the field after some plays. Does that mean the injury is serious this time? One of the fans also feels that Pavia is an overrated quarterback and player in the entire SEC. Do you feel the same? “Vandy will finish with 6 wins. Pavia is the most overrated player in the SEC.”

In 10 games this season, Pavia’s registered 1,843 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. Moreover, he also filed a lawsuit against the NCAA a couple of days ago. So, the attention he’s been getting has been quite a lot, which could be why the SEC Network chose to post that highlight of him.

That said, the Commodores really had everyone’s respect after they defeated one of the strongest teams, the Alabama Crimson Tide. Everybody from experts to NFL legends appreciated their impressive performance. The team kept the momentum going, but they feel that the game against South Carolina was a reality check and that they won’t improve to more than six wins this season. 

After the game, are fans referring to him as “Diego Poverty”? It looks like they are because another fan tried to make fun of and criticize the quarterback by commenting, “Diego Pavia—>Diego Poverty.” After witnessing his attitude, some fans have even suggested that “bro needa get a job already.” The comment reflects the level of frustration among the fans. Meanwhile, head coach Shane Beame needs to trust his players more. Especially after they defeated then No. 10 Texas A&M 44-20 last week.