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Diego Pavia became a sensation in the college football world after leading Vanderbilt to a historic upset against then-No. 1 Alabama on Saturday. He completed 16 of 20 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Commodores to a 40-35 victory over the Crimson Tide.
Still engulfed in the frenzy of the win, Pavia had an interview on ESPN on Wednesday where he discussed the historic victory. Rounding up his time on the show, ESPN surprised him by bringing in Johnny Manziel, who he had called an inspiration for the win, into the broadcast.
“What an awesome game, so fun to watch,” Manziel said to Pavia. “Couldn’t be happier for you. Sitting there and watching the whole thing play out has to feel like 2012 for me. But appreciate you showing me a lot of love. Hope I get the chance to come on here and show you the same thing.”
Diego Pavia names Johnny Manziel as a source of motivation
Johnny Manziel led Texas A&M to an upset against Alabama in 2012 as a true freshman. It was only the Aggies’ first season in the Southeastern Conference, and the young quarterback carried his team to victory against all odds.
After achieving a similar feat on Saturday, Diego Pavia said after the game that Manziel was his source of motivation.
“Johnny Football, in his video he said he’s nothing to play with,” Pavia said. “I think the same way about myself. Just every time I step on the field, I feel like I’m the best player on the field. Every single time, I just gotta keep showing up. It’s God’s timing.”
Diego Pavia's view on his comparison with Johnny Manziel
Before Johnny Manziel was brought into the interview on ESPN, Diego Pavia commented on his comparison with Manziel following the upset against Alabama.
“I think we bring the same electric mentality to the football game, to the football field,” Pavia said. “We both are big believers in ourselves. I haven’t gotten the chance to talk to Johnny, but we’re both wired differently. We’ll do whatever it takes to win. I feel like we have a lot of the same play style.”
Earlier in the season, comparisons were drawn between Pavia and former Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley. However, the story has changed after the historic upset.
