Consider Auburn football's Hugh Freeze tired of Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia.

The two have history dating back to Freeze's time at Liberty, when then at New Mexico State, Pavia accounted for six touchdowns in a blowout win to end Freeze's 2022 season. Pavia came back for more last year, taking down Freeze and Auburn 31-10, with three more passing touchdowns.

Pavia transferred to Vanderbilt over the offseason, following former New Mexico State coach Jerry Kill, who is now an advisor on the staff. With Auburn and Vanderbilt playing on Saturday, Freeze was asked about his thoughts on Pavia on Monday, while giving credit to what Clark Lea has built there.

“I’m sick of seeing that quarterback (laughter). I’ve had enough of him," Freeze said. "What a competitor he is and the job that Clark Lea and his staff have done there. To be in the games and have a chance to win all of the games they’re playing against the nation’s elite is so impressive."

Pavia threw for 201 yards and three touchdowns last year, while running for 35 yards. Back in 2022, he threw for 214 yards with three touchdowns while running for 125 yards and three more scores. Freeze credits Pavia with a lot of the success. But with Kill, and former Freeze staffer Chris Klenakis leading the Commodore offensive line, Freeze knows that the scheme behind Pavia is strong and schemed to let him do what he does best.

“Last year when we played (Diego), the first time we touched the ball in the first quarter, I believe, was with 5:05 left. That’s uncomfortable. They know who they are, and they’re good being who they are. He moves and makes plays and is savvy and smart and tough and, again, makes everybody do their assignment on every single play or you get burned. It’s three yards here, even on a broken play, and it’s four yards, and it’s third and three and they get three and a half," Freeze said. "A lot of it’s due to their system, which they’re very well coached. They have my offensive line coach there from Liberty, Coach (Chris) Klenakis. He’s doing a heck of a job and is one heck of a coach. He’s doing a great job with their offensive line and the run game. I have respect for Jerry Kill and Tim Beck and, obviously, Clark I think is one of the best head coaches in the game.”

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Freeze knows better than most on how to potentially stop Pavia, even if Pavia has scorched Freeze-led teams in their first two meetings. Freeze has some tape he is planning on showing the Tigers defense ahead of the matchup to make sure they know what they are getting themselves into.

“We are going to tell them the truth. We got some good cut ups from their team. They play extremely hard, extra effort. Not just (Pavia). I got some good clips to show our defense that this is what you are up against. These guys (defensive ends) get knocked to the ground and then run and make a tackle on the other side of the field for a six-yard gain. Their effort is phenomenal. Obviously his (Pavia) toughness, leadership, and grittiness, if they don’t know it, they will after today when they see the tapes and hear our defensive staff talk about him requiring you to play assignment football on every play. I won’t talk much about last year (vs. New Mexico State).”

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Auburn football coach Hugh Freeze sick of Vanderbilt's Diego Pavia