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[figcap]Quayshawn Nealy #54 LB and the Georgia Tech defense swarm over Virginia Tech[/figcap][/float_left]BLACKSBURG, VA - Georgia Tech rallied from a 16-10 deficit in the 4th quarter to defeat ACC Coastal Division rival Virginia Tech 27-24. Harrison Butker clinched the victory with a 24-yard field goal with two seconds remaining in regulation.
Both teams started slow in the first half with Virginia Tech scoring the game’s first touchdown in the 2nd quarter to take a 13-3 lead. After Georgia Tech’s next drive stalled and resulted in a punt, defensive back Corey Griffin picked off the Hokies' quarterback Michael Brewer to give the offense another shot. Georgia Tech’s subsequent drive resulted in a 70-yard touchdown drive to narrow the score to 13-10. The touchdown drive was highlighted by Justin Thomas’ 18-yard and 19-yard strikes to DeAndre Smelter and Deon Hill respectively. Before the end of the first half, Virginia Tech drove down the field for a 36-yard field goal to close the half at 16-10 in favor of the Hokies.
Georgia Tech’s first possession in the second half ended quickly with a costly fumble at their own own 10-yard line. However the defense stood fast backed up against their own end zone and forced Virginia Tech into a field goal attempt. Chris Milton, who last year earned a reputation as a field goal blocking specialist, came up with another tremendous field goal block off the edge to prevent Virginia Tech from extending their lead to two scores.
In addition to Virginia Tech's interception and Georgia Tech's fumble, both teams made plenty of other mistakes in a game of limited possessions which prevented either team from building a comfortable lead. Thomas' 80-yard touchdown run on a quarterback keeper was called back due to an illegal block below the waist penalty. P.J. Davis took advantage of an errant throw from Virginia Tech's Brewer and returned it for a 41-yard defensive touchdown.
Following Davis' interception the Georgia Tech defense was put right back on the field and forced a fumble deep in their own territory. This time, however, Virginia Tech was the benefactor of a fortunate bounce as Brewer was able to scoop up the loose ball and run in for a 21-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown. “I thought here we go again. It looked like we had a chance to get it but he [Michael Brewer] found it and finished the play,” replied Georgia Tech’s Head Coach Paul Johnson when asked about fumble return.
With 5:21 remaining in the 4th quarter, Georgia Tech was able to put together a 9 play, 67-yard touchdown drive to tie the score at 24. The drive wasn’t without drama as Thomas connected with Smelter to convert what could have been a game-ending 4th-and-15 situation.
When asked about Thomas’s confidence Coach Johnson replied, “He makes plays. Was he perfect? No. But he plays for the moment. We’ve got to get some more guys like him.”
With plenty of time remaining on the clock for Virginia Tech to amount one last drive, D.J. White forced Georgia Tech’s third turnover of the game by way of their third interception. Faced with the chance to win the game starting in Virginia Tech territory, the Jackets' offense drove to the 5-yard line. From there Thomas positioned the the ball at center of the field for Harrison Butker’s game-winning field goal as time expired.
After a game where the entire team made clutch plays when it needed to, Georgia Tech is now 4-0 (1-0 ACC) heading into a bye week. The Jackets look to move to 2-0 in the ACC as they return home for a showdown with Miami on October 4th.
Both teams started slow in the first half with Virginia Tech scoring the game’s first touchdown in the 2nd quarter to take a 13-3 lead. After Georgia Tech’s next drive stalled and resulted in a punt, defensive back Corey Griffin picked off the Hokies' quarterback Michael Brewer to give the offense another shot. Georgia Tech’s subsequent drive resulted in a 70-yard touchdown drive to narrow the score to 13-10. The touchdown drive was highlighted by Justin Thomas’ 18-yard and 19-yard strikes to DeAndre Smelter and Deon Hill respectively. Before the end of the first half, Virginia Tech drove down the field for a 36-yard field goal to close the half at 16-10 in favor of the Hokies.
Georgia Tech’s first possession in the second half ended quickly with a costly fumble at their own own 10-yard line. However the defense stood fast backed up against their own end zone and forced Virginia Tech into a field goal attempt. Chris Milton, who last year earned a reputation as a field goal blocking specialist, came up with another tremendous field goal block off the edge to prevent Virginia Tech from extending their lead to two scores.
In addition to Virginia Tech's interception and Georgia Tech's fumble, both teams made plenty of other mistakes in a game of limited possessions which prevented either team from building a comfortable lead. Thomas' 80-yard touchdown run on a quarterback keeper was called back due to an illegal block below the waist penalty. P.J. Davis took advantage of an errant throw from Virginia Tech's Brewer and returned it for a 41-yard defensive touchdown.
Following Davis' interception the Georgia Tech defense was put right back on the field and forced a fumble deep in their own territory. This time, however, Virginia Tech was the benefactor of a fortunate bounce as Brewer was able to scoop up the loose ball and run in for a 21-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown. “I thought here we go again. It looked like we had a chance to get it but he [Michael Brewer] found it and finished the play,” replied Georgia Tech’s Head Coach Paul Johnson when asked about fumble return.
With 5:21 remaining in the 4th quarter, Georgia Tech was able to put together a 9 play, 67-yard touchdown drive to tie the score at 24. The drive wasn’t without drama as Thomas connected with Smelter to convert what could have been a game-ending 4th-and-15 situation.
When asked about Thomas’s confidence Coach Johnson replied, “He makes plays. Was he perfect? No. But he plays for the moment. We’ve got to get some more guys like him.”
With plenty of time remaining on the clock for Virginia Tech to amount one last drive, D.J. White forced Georgia Tech’s third turnover of the game by way of their third interception. Faced with the chance to win the game starting in Virginia Tech territory, the Jackets' offense drove to the 5-yard line. From there Thomas positioned the the ball at center of the field for Harrison Butker’s game-winning field goal as time expired.
After a game where the entire team made clutch plays when it needed to, Georgia Tech is now 4-0 (1-0 ACC) heading into a bye week. The Jackets look to move to 2-0 in the ACC as they return home for a showdown with Miami on October 4th.
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