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Jackets rout Panthers on the road 56-28
[float_left][figcap]Footage courtesy of The ACC Digital Network[/figcap][/float_left] PITTSBURGH, PA - Even before six minutes had elapsed in the game, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (6-2, 3-2) had already built a daunting 28-0 lead against the Pittsburgh Panthers (4-4, 2-2). By the end, the Jackets maintained that margin with a decisive 56-28 victory against the Panthers on the famed Heinz Field.
In what turned out to be one of the most bizarre if not fortuitous starts to a Georgia Tech football game in recent history, the Georgia Tech defense forced fumbles from four different players on Pittsburgh’s squad in their first four possessions. The highlight being a pure hustle play by defensive back D.J. White (#28) chasing down Pittburgh’s running back James Connor (#24) for 74 yards before forcing a fumble into the end zone resulting in a touchback.
In complete contrast, the Tech offense was able to take full advantage of each turnover with explosive plays highlighted by a short pass from quarterback Justin Thomas (#5) on 3rd and 9 that resulted in a huge 79 yard catch-and-run touchdown by A-back Charles Perkins (#21).
Regarding Pittsburgh’s fumbles in the first few minutes of the game, head coach Paul Johnson commented that he was glad the team could take advantage of the turnovers. “We haven’t gotten very many breaks; I don’t think we had a fumble [recovery] all year and so we got all ours in one quarter. The neat thing was that we were able to capitalize on it.”
Still, the Panthers maintained their composure in the second quarter by putting together two back-to-back touchdown drives in between strong defensive efforts that prevented Tech’s offense from moving the ball. While their offense closed the scoring gap, Pittsburgh’s defense also showed flashes of how they came to be ranked #4 in the nation in total defense by average yards allowed per game (280.4 YPG).
On the defensive side of the ball, Georgia Tech gave up 526 yards and was lead by safety Isaiah Johnson (#1) with 14 tackles and a forced fumble. Linebacker P.J. Davis (#40) also had a good game with 6 tackles and 2 forced fumbles. Defensive end Adam Gotsis (#97) lead the team in sacks with two that resulted in a loss of 17 yards. While Tech’s defense forced four fumbles early, the unit still struggled to stop the Panthers on various 3rd down situations including allowing Pittsburgh to convert a 3rd and 17 play that ultimately resulted in a touchdown. Overall, Georgia Tech allowed Pittsburgh to convert 66.7% of their 3rd downs; the Panthers averaged 41.7% in 3rd down conversions up until this game. Nevertheless, it was more than enough to help seal the win.
The Georgia Tech offense accrued 612 yards along with its eight touchdowns and beat the college record set at Heinz Field for most points by an opponent. 465 of those yards came on the ground among nine different ball carriers. Synjyn Days (#10) starting at the B-back position after Zach Laskey’s (#37) shoulder injury at Chapel Hill last week, lead the team with a career-high 110 yards rushing on 22 carries. A-back Broderick Snoddy (#22) also had a career-high with three rushing touchdowns. Justin Thomas also became the 4th QB in Georgia Tech history to have more than 700 yards rushing in a season joining company with Joe Hamilton, Joshua Nesbitt, and Tevin Washington.
With the victory on the road against Pittsburgh, Georgia Tech snaps a two game losing streak and is now bowl-eligible for the 18th consecutive season as they return to Atlanta for Tech’s Homecoming game against UVA (4-4, 2-2) on November 1st at 3:30 PM ET.
[float_left][figcap]Footage courtesy of The ACC Digital Network[/figcap][/float_left] PITTSBURGH, PA - Even before six minutes had elapsed in the game, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (6-2, 3-2) had already built a daunting 28-0 lead against the Pittsburgh Panthers (4-4, 2-2). By the end, the Jackets maintained that margin with a decisive 56-28 victory against the Panthers on the famed Heinz Field.
In what turned out to be one of the most bizarre if not fortuitous starts to a Georgia Tech football game in recent history, the Georgia Tech defense forced fumbles from four different players on Pittsburgh’s squad in their first four possessions. The highlight being a pure hustle play by defensive back D.J. White (#28) chasing down Pittburgh’s running back James Connor (#24) for 74 yards before forcing a fumble into the end zone resulting in a touchback.
In complete contrast, the Tech offense was able to take full advantage of each turnover with explosive plays highlighted by a short pass from quarterback Justin Thomas (#5) on 3rd and 9 that resulted in a huge 79 yard catch-and-run touchdown by A-back Charles Perkins (#21).
Regarding Pittsburgh’s fumbles in the first few minutes of the game, head coach Paul Johnson commented that he was glad the team could take advantage of the turnovers. “We haven’t gotten very many breaks; I don’t think we had a fumble [recovery] all year and so we got all ours in one quarter. The neat thing was that we were able to capitalize on it.”
Still, the Panthers maintained their composure in the second quarter by putting together two back-to-back touchdown drives in between strong defensive efforts that prevented Tech’s offense from moving the ball. While their offense closed the scoring gap, Pittsburgh’s defense also showed flashes of how they came to be ranked #4 in the nation in total defense by average yards allowed per game (280.4 YPG).
On the defensive side of the ball, Georgia Tech gave up 526 yards and was lead by safety Isaiah Johnson (#1) with 14 tackles and a forced fumble. Linebacker P.J. Davis (#40) also had a good game with 6 tackles and 2 forced fumbles. Defensive end Adam Gotsis (#97) lead the team in sacks with two that resulted in a loss of 17 yards. While Tech’s defense forced four fumbles early, the unit still struggled to stop the Panthers on various 3rd down situations including allowing Pittsburgh to convert a 3rd and 17 play that ultimately resulted in a touchdown. Overall, Georgia Tech allowed Pittsburgh to convert 66.7% of their 3rd downs; the Panthers averaged 41.7% in 3rd down conversions up until this game. Nevertheless, it was more than enough to help seal the win.
The Georgia Tech offense accrued 612 yards along with its eight touchdowns and beat the college record set at Heinz Field for most points by an opponent. 465 of those yards came on the ground among nine different ball carriers. Synjyn Days (#10) starting at the B-back position after Zach Laskey’s (#37) shoulder injury at Chapel Hill last week, lead the team with a career-high 110 yards rushing on 22 carries. A-back Broderick Snoddy (#22) also had a career-high with three rushing touchdowns. Justin Thomas also became the 4th QB in Georgia Tech history to have more than 700 yards rushing in a season joining company with Joe Hamilton, Joshua Nesbitt, and Tevin Washington.
With the victory on the road against Pittsburgh, Georgia Tech snaps a two game losing streak and is now bowl-eligible for the 18th consecutive season as they return to Atlanta for Tech’s Homecoming game against UVA (4-4, 2-2) on November 1st at 3:30 PM ET.
