LSU Tigers Football vs Vanderbilt Football Match Player Stats: Complete, Verified Breakdown

If you’re looking for a single, source-verified, easy-to-read reference for LSU Tigers football vs Vanderbilt football match player stats, this article collects everything that matters: the most recent meeting (verified as of Jan 21, 2026), full player stat tables, team comparisons, tactical and fantasy takeaways, and a short FAQ. I use official box scores and team recaps for facts; you’ll find the most important game figures highlighted and explained, so numbers become useful, not just noise.

Quick Updated Facts (Verified)

These are the key facts verified against official box scores and team recaps as of January 21, 2026.

• Most recent meeting (final score): Vanderbilt 31, LSU 24: October 18, 2025.
• Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt): Oct 18, 2025: 14/22 passing, 160 passing yards, 1 pass TD; 17 rushes, 86 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs (three total TDs).
• Garrett Nussmeier (LSU): Oct 18, 2025: 19/28 passing, 225 passing yards, 2 passing TDs.
• Team totals (Oct 18, 2025): LSU 325 total yards; Vanderbilt 399 total yards.
• Previous notable meeting (Nov 23, 2024): LSU 24, Vanderbilt 17: Garrett Nussmeier 28/37, 332 passing yards; Josh Williams ~90 rush yards and 2 rushing TDs + 61 receiving yards (team recap/box score).

These five facts form the backbone of the analysis below and are drawn from official box scores and team recaps.

Why These Facts Matter

• The Oct 18, 2025, result showed Vanderbilt’s quarterback mobility and efficient red-zone play were decisive; that’s reflected in Pavia’s rushing TDs and the total-yardage edge.
• The Nov 23, 2024, meeting highlighted LSU’s passing efficiency and a multi-purpose running back (Josh Williams), which produced a different game script and outcome.

Full Game Context & Narrative

The October 18, 2025, game: narrative in one paragraph

Vanderbilt, led by Diego Pavia’s combination of efficient passing and disruptive rushing, edged No. 10 LSU 31–24 in Nashville. Vanderbilt sustained long drives, got key red-zone conversions, and used QB runs to tilt the matchup; LSU posted a solid passing line from Garrett Nussmeier but lacked the game-changing run production needed to overcome Vanderbilt’s tempo and red-zone success.

The November 23, 2024, game: narrative in one paragraph

At Tiger Stadium, LSU bounced back in a controlled performance: Garrett Nussmeier’s accurate passing (28/37 for 332 yards) and Josh Williams’ dual-threat contributions (rushing TDs plus receiving yards) created enough scoring to defeat Vanderbilt 24–17; the classic balanced-attack victory where passing efficiency and red-zone rushing paid off.

Detailed Player Stat Tables: Oct 18, 2025 (most recent meeting)

These tables are built from official box score data. They’re formatted so readers and search engines can quickly scan player impacts.

LSU Passing Stats

LSU Rushing Stats

LSU Receiving Stats (Key contributors)

Vanderbilt Passing Stats

Vanderbilt Rushing Stats

Vanderbilt Receiving Stats (Key contributors)

Note: Some play-by-play and full snap lists are available in the official box score PDFs and team summaries for deeper review.

Team Comparison Table (Oct 18, 2025)

Key takeaway: Vanderbilt’s greater total yardage and QB rushing TDs were the decisive edges.

Head-to-Head Player Trends (Synthesizing Both Recent Meetings)

Quarterback patterns

• LSU (Garrett Nussmeier): Shows consistent accuracy and the ability to push the ball for high-yardage games; e.g., 332 yards on Nov 23, 2024, and a tidy 225 yards on Oct 18, 2025. Accuracy is his hallmark and reduces turnover risk.
• Vanderbilt (Diego Pavia): Brings a dual-threat component; moderate passing volume but high rushing value (86 rush yards & 2 rush TDs on Oct 18, 2025). His ability to run the ball changes defensive priorities.

Resulting pattern: When Vanderbilt’s QB plays to his rushing strengths, Vanderbilt controls tempo and can sustain drives; when LSU’s QB is ultra-efficient, LSU leans on passing to sustain drives and create scoring opportunities.

Running game & backfield tendencies

• LSU: In the 2024 meeting, Josh Williams produced notable two TD runs and contributed as a receiver, a flexible offensive element. When LSU gets that multi-purpose rushing threat in rhythm, game control swings in their favor.
• Vanderbilt: Relies partly on designed QB runs and opportunistic RB bursts (Makhilyn Young’s long run, Pavia’s goal-line rushes), which make their ground game less predictable but hard to scheme for.

Receiving & YAC

• LSU’s top pass-catchers (Thomas, Green) created intermediate and explosive gains, but LSU lacked sustained long-shot plays in the Oct 18, 2025 game required to flip the scoreboard more decisively.
• Vanderbilt’s receiving game focused on short-to-intermediate routes and red-zone TE usage, efficient for clock management and high-percentage conversions.

Tactical Analysis: How Numbers Produced the Results

Below are the most actionable coaching-level takeaways rooted in the stats.

1) QB containment changes everything

• On Oct 18, 2025, Vanderbilt’s wins came because Nussmeier’s pass protection had to respect Pavia’s rush threat; linebackers and safeties had divided responsibilities, creating misdirection and seams for designed QB runs. Defensive game plans that fail to account for QB runners give up yardage both on the ground and through play-action.

2) Red-zone touchdown conversion

• Stats show Vanderbilt converted red-zone opportunities into TDs (including QB runs), while LSU had field goals or stalled drives at crucial moments. In tight SEC games, touchdowns vs field goals decide outcomes.

3) Penalties and field position

• Penalty yards (LSU 52 vs Vanderbilt 35) shifted field position and made some LSU drives longer and more difficult; small margins that add up.

4) Time of possession & sustained drives

• Vanderbilt’s higher total yardage and longer drives (several long, time-consuming drives) wore down LSU’s defense and gave Vanderbilt more scoring opportunities. Controlling the clock neutralizes explosive-play defenses.

Fantasy & Scouting Notes (Evaluative, Non-Gambling)

Use these for player evaluation, fantasy floor/ceiling assessment, and scouting perspectives; not as sports betting advice.

Fantasy takeaways

• Value in dual-role players: Josh Williams (LSU, 2024) showed RB/receiving value; these players boost weekly floors because they generate both carry- and catch-based points.
• Mobile QBs in fantasy: Diego Pavia’s rushing TDs and yardage elevated his fantasy ceiling in the Oct 18, 2025, game. In scoring systems rewarding rush TDs and rush yards, mobile QBs providea significant edge.

Scouting takeaways for evaluators

• Accuracy under pressure: Nussmeier’s 28/37 (Nov 23, 2024) shows NFL-evaluators a high-volume session with limited turnover risk; an important trait for pro-level evaluation.
• Athleticism & decision-making: Pavia’s decision-making to run and when to pass helped Vanderbilt convert critical downs; mobility that pairs with smart decisions is prized.

Pros & cons (what each team proved in these meetings)

LSU Tigers: Pros

• Passing efficiency: (Nussmeier’s high completion rates and big-yardage game in 2024).
• Ball security: low turnover rates in both recent games.

LSU Tigers: Cons

• Rushing inconsistency: inability to get rushing TDs in Oct 18, 2025, limited red-zone flexibility.
• Penalty yards: that hampered the field position.

Vanderbilt Commodores: Pros

• Quarterback mobility: (Pavia’s rushing production in Oct 18, 2025).
• Red-zone execution: produced TDs when it mattered.

Vanderbilt Commodores: Cons

• Limited deep passing volume: in some possessions, relying more on QB/short-yardage solutions.

Key Player Snapshots (Mini-Profiles From These Games)

Garrett Nussmeier (LSU)

• Recent lines: 28/37, 332 yards (Nov 23, 2024); 19/28, 225 yards, 2 TDs (Oct 18, 2025). Shows high accuracy and good ball protection.

Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt)

• Oct 18, 2025 line: 14/22, 160 pass yards, 1 pass TD; 17 rushes, 86 rush yards, 2 rush TDs; a true dual-threat day that produced the difference.

Josh Williams (LSU)

• Nov 23, 2024 line: ~90 rush yards, 2 rushing TDs, 61 receiving yards; showed multi-faceted skill that controlled short-field and red-zone scoring.

How to Use These Stats (For Coaches, Bloggers, and Fans)

• Coaches: Focus on containing QB run lanes, increasing red-zone TD playbook, and reducing penalty exposure; those three areas swing close SEC matchups.
• Bloggers/content creators: Use player stat tables (clean, labeled) to boost featured-snippet chances and reader engagement. Display key plays that changed win probability alongside stat lines for context.
• Fans: Watch for QB mobility and red-zone play calls in future meetings; those two tendencies decide these matchups.

Conclusion

The LSU Tigers vs Vanderbilt Commodores matchups in late 2024 and 2025 show two different winning formulas: LSU’s efficient pocket passing + multi-purpose RB (Nov 23, 2024) versus Vanderbilt’s QB mobility + red-zone TDs (Oct 18, 2025). The Oct 18, 2025, game, Vanderbilt 31, LSU 24, is the most recent meeting as of Jan 21, 2026, and its player stats (Pavia’s 3 TDs via pass + rush, Nussmeier’s efficient passing) explain how the game was decided. If you want one thing to watch in the next matchup, watch the QB run/pass balance and red-zone TD rate; those will tell you which team will likely win.

FAQs: LSU Tigers Football vs Vanderbilt Football Match Player Stats

Q1: What was the most recent LSU vs Vanderbilt score?

A1: Vanderbilt 31, LSU 24 on October 18, 2025.

Q2: Who led Vanderbilt in that game?

A2: Diego Pavia: 160 pass yards, 86 rush yards, 3 total TDs (1 pass, 2 rush).

Q3: Who led LSU in the most recent meeting?

A3: Garrett Nussmeier: 19/28 for 225 yards and 2 passing TDs; Zavion Thomas was LSU’s top receiver in that game.

Q4: Did turnovers determine the Oct 18, 2025 outcome?

A4: No, both teams had zero turnovers in that box score; other factors (yardage, rushing TDs, red-zone conversions) decided the result.

Q5: Which game had the higher single-game QB passing yards?

A5: Garrett Nussmeier’s 332 yards (Nov 23, 2024) is higher than his 225 yards (Oct 18, 2025).

Q6: Where did you source these stats?

A6: Official box scores and game recaps (ESPN box score, LSU Athletics recap, Vanderbilt box PDF, SEC box summary, CBS/other recaps). See the in-article citations for specifics.