Vanderbilt Football: With National Attention Now On, Head Coach Clark Lea Is Adamant On Even Bigger Aspirations

Press Conference Notes: Lea reflects on monumental Week 1 win and looks ahead towards the battle vs. Alcorn State

After navigating a tumultuous offseason filled with changes and uncertainties, Vanderbilt Football kicked off the new year with an impressive 34-27 overtime victory over Virginia Tech. While it was truly a team effort, quarterback Diego Pavia shone brightly, earning the SEC Offensive Player of the Week title. Additionally, the Commodores were recognized as the Cheez-It Team of the Week for their surprising upset. In light of this success, head coach Clark Lea took the stage with enthusiasm, discussing the win against the Hokies while also emphasizing the future direction for the Commodores.

“I celebrate every bit of recognition we receive. These players work tirelessly for success, and I want them to relish the celebration that comes with it. Everything we aspire to achieve lies ahead of us,” Lea remarked. “I want this to become our new normal.”

The game’s key moments unfolded in the closing stages, where it appeared Virginia Tech was poised to claim victory. When asked about these critical moments, Lea specifically highlighted Diego Pavia’s presence.

“Pavia embodies authenticity and quiet confidence. He’s a proven winner with a strong record since high school,” Lea noted. “I’ve witnessed a team dynamic in response to him that is unprecedented. He leads through his actions and is consistently reliable. On Saturday, the team was eager to follow him.”

Lea expressed his excitement about the intensity and physicality the Commodores displayed during the game, attributing much of their success to their toughness and aggression, particularly on defense.

“The first half represented the vision I’ve had for this program over the past four years. Our gameplay was complementary—long offensive drives paired with defensive turnovers,” Lea explained. “Defensively, we effectively managed their tough run game on the perimeter and maintained physicality, limiting their offensive exposure.”

However, despite the significant win, Lea stressed that Vanderbilt’s performance was not without flaws. He noted several issues that needed addressing, particularly from the second half.

“We need to elevate our operation. We mishandled the ball far too frequently on Saturday, and we have to rectify that,” Lea stated. “On defense, I must better position our players… The moment that stands out was when they started from the three-yard line. A quick flat route completion set up their long touchdown pass, which can’t happen.”

On the injury front, Vanderbilt faced two significant losses on defense: Khordae Syndor and Kolbey Taylor. Taylor, who was involved in a sideline incident with De’Rickey Wright, was not listed on this week’s depth chart. Nonetheless, Lea believes the Commodores can adapt.

“Khordae is week-to-week with an ankle sprain, and I doubt he’ll be available this weekend. Kolbey’s situation is internal, so I’ll just say he won’t play this weekend, but we’ll provide more information as it becomes clear,” Lea remarked. “Linus Zunk and Zaylin Wood were outstanding on the defensive line, and we expect them to continue shining. Martel Hight and Tyson Russell also performed well in the secondary, and Jaylen Lackey and Alan Wright are preparing for expanded roles.”

As they look ahead, Lea expressed gratitude for the support from the Vanderbilt crowd, especially the student section.

“The support from the student section meant a lot to me as a former student. I’m thrilled they were there throughout and enjoyed the experience. We aim to deliver a show that inspires fans to come out,” Lea stated. “Our vision for this program is to have sellout crowds comprised entirely of Vanderbilt fans—no split, just a sea of Black and Gold.”

Despite the celebrations, Lea is focused on the upcoming challenge against Alcorn State, which could prove to be a tricky matchup.

“Coach Thomas has Alcorn State prepared to compete. Their defense disrupts plays and limits explosive opportunities, so we’ll need to consistently generate yards,” Lea cautioned. “We could have performed better last week. Our victory came from our own efforts, and now we need to refine our performance. That’s how we become an elite team.”

The Commodores are eager to build on their statement win as they prepare to face Alcorn State at 6:30 p.m. CDT on Sept. 7 at FirstBank Stadium.