NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Diego Pavia threw for 275 yards and three touchdowns, each tying his personal best while at Vanderbilt Commodores, and the Commodores beat Charleston Southern Buccaneers 45-3 on Saturday night in a season opener for both teams.

“Diego was efficient,” Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea said. “We were moving in the run game, and we were completing passes. It looked exactly how we wanted it to look.”

Pavia matched his high at Vanderbilt for passing yards, set last season in a 24-14 win over Ball State. His three touchdowns were the most he's thrown at Vanderbilt since a 35-27 victory over Georgia Tech in the Birmingham Bowl last December.

Pavia was 20-of-25 passing without an interception for Vanderbilt. Tre Richardson had five catches for 74 yards.

Blaze Berlowitz came on in relief of Pavia to start the fourth quarter. Both are New Mexico State transfers.

Vanderbilt dominated on both sides of the ball, accumulating 481 yards of offense to Charleston Southern's 133. It was the fewest total yards allowed by the defense since a 55-0 win over Alcorn State on Sept. 7, 2024.

Saturday night's game was the most offense by the Commodores in a season-opening game since Aug. 27, 2022, when Vanderbilt logged 601 yards of offense against Hawaii.

“The test out there was about I would think the toughest we'll have all season,” Charleston Southern coach Gabe Giardina said.

Sedrick Alexander led the effort on the ground, rushing for 83 yards on 12 attempts for Vanderbilt. He also had a 26-yard touchdown grab.

“Diego did good. If you're quarterback is going 20 for 25, you should be winning that game,” Alexander said. “If your running back is running the ball and catching passes like that, you're supposed to win the game. Diego has been great throughout fall camp and I already knew he was determined to do what he wanted to do.”

In the first half, Vanderbilt only punted once and scored on four drives.

With a capacity of 35,000 after the renovation, tickets for the game sold out on Friday, bringing new excitement and energy to the team.

“That was very meaningful,” Lea said. “I certainly don’t take the environment for granted.”

Charleston Southern: The Buccaneers have lost 11 straight, dating to last season. They struggled in every area of the game, including special teams when Gilbert Brown had a punt go 11 yards in the third.

Vanderbilt: The Commodores had their offense rolling in Week 1, with 201 yards on the ground and Pavia's effort through the air. Cornerback Martel Hight got some reps in at wide receiver and on special teams, recording 17 yards on two receptions.

Pavia opened the game completing six of his first seven passes with two TDs for a 14-0 lead after the first quarter.

“They’re a fast-starting team, and obviously you know Diego’s a big part of that,” Giardina said.

Charleston Southern: Travels to Coastal Carolina on Sept. 6

Vanderbilt: Travels to Virginia Tech on Sept. 6

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