AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Diego Pavia threw two touchdown passes, including a 4-yarder, to Eli Stowers with 4:18 left, and Vanderbilt became bowl eligible for the first time since 2018 with a 17-7 win over Auburn on Saturday.

The Commodores (6-3, 3-2 Southeastern Conference) secured another victory in their surprising season with a 14-play, 78-yard drive that lasted 8 minutes, 53 seconds. It was kept alive when Keldric Faulk was penalized for leverage while trying to block a Brock Taylor field goal on first down at the 4.

The Tigers (3-6, 1-5) were coming off their fourth straight losing season.

Pavia was under control most of the way but still secured its second straight win against Auburn. He completed 9 of 22 passes for 143 yards with a 28-yard touchdown to AJ Newberry. Pavia led New Mexico State to a major upset of the Tigers last season before moving to the SEC and contributing to a much less surprising win.

Auburn's final attempt to stay in the game ended when Towns McGough's 52-yard field goal attempt failed for his second miss. By the time the Tigers lost their final possession in the final two minutes, most fans had already reached the exits.

The Tigers managed to level the score at 7-1 before halftime. They converted two fourth-down plays in their own territory before Thorne made a 30-yard touchdown pass to Rivaldo Fairweather.

The Commodores retook the lead late in the third quarter on Taylor's 31-yard field goal. They got the chance after the replay officials recovered a called fumble by Moni Jones, which was set up by Martel Hight's 39-yard punt return 21 yards.

Vandy held Jarquez Hunter to 50 yards on 12 carries a week after he ran for 278 yards in a win over Kentucky.

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Vanderbilt: The Commodores continue a great season that included an upset of then-No. 1 Alabama. They found a way to win despite passing 327-227 total yards.

Auburn: Failed to convert on third down until the first play of the fourth quarter, failing on its first nine attempts and going 2 of 13. The Tigers must beat UL Monroe, No. 10 Texas A&M and No. 14 Alabama to become a bowler justified.

Next

Vanderbilt: hosts South Carolina on November 9th.

Auburn: vs. ULM on November 16th.