Each of Vanderbilt football's first three seasons under Clark Lea ended with a loss to Tennessee that wasn't particularly close. The 2024 season won't end that way, even as the Commodores once again got boatraced by their rival yet again.

In a season in which Vanderbilt upset Alabama, Michigan beat Ohio State, Kentucky beat Ole Miss and Oklahoma best Alabama, Vanderbilt seemed like it may be on the path to pull another when it took an early 14-0 lead on Tennessee Saturday.

Nico Iamaleava threw for 257 yards and four touchdowns rallying No. 7 Tennessee from a 14-point deficit within the first five minutes to rout in-state rival Vanderbilt 36-23 Saturday.