Tech tops Pitt 35-17 in ACC opener
Georgia Tech rode a dominant defensive performance to a 35-17 win over Pittsburgh Saturday at Bobby Dodd in Tech’s ACC opener for 2017. The Jackets’ defense surrendered a touchdown on Pitts opening drive, but allowed only a 55 yard field goal after that. The Panthers also tallied on an 80 yard punt return touchdown by Quadree Henderson in the 2nd quarter.
Tech’s vaunted offense performed well in spells, controlling the ball and gaining 484 total yards. KirVonte Benson collected 197 yards on 29 carries. But the turnover bug bit hard. Tech had 5 fumbles, losing 4, which allowed the Panthers to stay in the game. Benson himself lost 3 fumbles.
The visitors had only 235 yards of total offense and ran only 55 plays to Tech’s 74. In addition, Pitt scored on a 80 yard punt return in the 2nd quarter to help keep it close. The 55 yard field goal by Pitts’ Kasson drew the halftime score to 21-17.
The Yellow Jackets defense really stood tall in the 2nd half, shutting out the Panthers. Coach Paul Johnson praised his defense. ” Our defense played very, very well.” His quarterback TaQuon Marshall was even more direct. “If not for our defense, we wouldn’t have won this game.”
The Yellow Jackets D blunted the effect of all those fumbles by preventing a Pitt score after each. On the day, Pitt converted only 1 of 13 third downs and generated only 37 yards on 20 rushing attempts. The lack of an effective ground game made things tougher for Pitt’s Quarterback tandem of Ben Dinucci and Max Browne. Together they completed 22 passes for 198 yards, though much of that yardage came late in the 4th quarter when the outcome was no longer in doubt.
Defensive end Keshun Freeman had 3 tackles for loss. “It felt good”, he said, to hold Pitt to just 1 out of 13 on 3rd down.
Pitt entered at 1-2, their sole win a 28-21 overtime affair over Youngstown State. Since then, losses came to Penn State and OSU (last week), both ranked.
GT was 1-1, coming off an unplanned bye week courtesy of a canceled game in Orlando last weekend following Hurricane Irma. Paul Johnson called his offense’s performance “disappointing”, particularly the five fumbles. He noted there were things to work on, but praised the work of his defensive staff and players.
This win took Tech’s record in ACC openers to 8-2 under Johnson. Tech stays home next week against North Carolina for a noon kickoff at 2017 Homecoming.