Diego Pavia had many fans in the stands watching him cover Alabama football. The Vanderbilt quarterback said after helping the Commodores upset the Crimson Tide 40-35 in Nashville, he had a huge contingent of family at FirstBank Stadium from his home state.

“I think the total number was 68,” Pavia said. “They were all from Albuquerque, New Mexico. And it costs a lot of money. Many people there are not rich. They come from the poor, South Valley…I’m just super grateful to them. I feel like they were in my corner tonight. They’re right behind us, and they’re just motivators, let me be myself. And I just feel at home. Literally at home, just playing football in the backyard when I step outside.

Pavia and the Vanderbilt offense played a keepaway of Alabama on Saturday. Head coach Clark Lea said the Commodores wanted to keep UA’s possessions down, and they did just that, controlling the ball for 42:08 of playing time.

The quarterback, who transferred from New Mexico State this offseason, said he looked to another player who once upset Alabama for inspiration: Johnny Manziel.

“Johnny Football, in his video he said he is nothing to play with,” Pavia said. “I think the same about myself. Every time I step on the field, I feel like I am the best player on the field. Every time I just have to keep showing up. It’s God’s timing.”

Linebacker Miles Capers made one of the plays that decided the game on Sunday. He sacked Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe in the fourth quarter, forcing a fumble.

The Commodores recovered, costing Alabama one of its few drives. After the game, Capers said he and his teammates felt confident going into the game.

“We knew this was going to happen,” Capers said. “We just took a step forward and fought back.”

On Saturday, Vanderbilt did what most teams can’t do. Milroe, one of the league’s top threats, only went 10 yards on the ground.

Then Capers chalked that up to preparation.

“That really comes down to practice,” the linebacker said. “We know we have to lock him up and make him feel uncomfortable.” We know his danger, his legs, and we just had to do our job to get the job done.”

Vanderbilt travels to Kentucky on Saturday after the win at Alabama. The Crimson Tide next takes on South Carolina in Tuscaloosa.