Diego Pavia threw for five touchdowns and ran for another as No. 18 Vanderbilt continued its best start to a season in 17 years by defeating visiting Utah State 55-35 on Saturday at Nashville, Tenn.

Pavia completed 26 for 34 passes for 321 yards and also ran for a game-high 79 yards on nine carries. Junior Sherrill caught three of the touchdown passes in the final tune-up for the Commodores (5-0) prior to next week's visit to No. 17 Alabama.

Bryson Barnes threw for three touchdowns and backup quarterback Jacob Conover tossed two touchdown passes for Utah State (3-2), which also lost earlier this month at nationally ranked Texas A&M. Braden Pegan, Miles Davis, Josh Sterzer, Javen Jacobs and Brady Boyd caught touchdown passes.

Vanderbilt broke away by scoring on the opening possession of

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