Vanderbilt QB makes bold Heisman statement in historic win over LSU

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia channeled Johnny Manziel during his team’s 31-24 win over LSU on Saturday in Nashville, Tenn.

Following a rushing touchdown in the third quarter, Pavia celebrated by hitting a Heisman Trophy pose along with a money-throwing gesture, an homage to Manziel.

Manziel — who won the Heisman during his freshman season at Texas A&M in 2012 — is a mentor to Pavia, with many fans pointing out similar play styles between the two.

The 33-year-old previously said he’s told Pavia to learn from the mistakes he made while playing for the Aggies.

“I’m like, ‘Learn from my mistakes, brother. Learn from Johnny. Don’t be Johnny off the field,’” Manziel told On3 earlier this month. “I had so much opportunity and so much shit and threw it away. Diego’s young and lit, and it’s easy in that position to get out of control.

“But I’m trying to give him the best advice I can. He’s listening. I think he is, so that’s a blessing.”

During Saturday’s game, Pavia, 24, threw for 160 yards and a touchdown while completing 14 of 22 passes.

He starred on the ground for the Commodores, though, rushing for 86 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries.

Saturday’s win marked No. 17 Vanderbilt’s sixth victory of the season, which is their best start in 75 years with a 6-1 record.

“Ultimately, we have a lot of season left, and we’re going to celebrate this win,” Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea told reporters. “I think we’ve earned the right to celebrate it. But this game won’t define our season. And there’s a lot more for this team to accomplish.”

Pavia, though, was reportedly “not able to” speak with reporters in a traditional postgame press conference following the win, according to On3.

Pavia did talk shortly with ESPN/ABC’s sideline reporter immediately after the game.

“We’re very thankful for this,” Pavia said.

“But this team is just so special, you know. We’ve always got each other’s sixes — if no one has their six, they must be dead.”