'Canes Trip Up Tech at the Wire

The Miami Hurricanes grabbed an early lead, quickly relinquished it, but reclaimed it when it counted most–at the end of the game. Miami got past Georgia Tech 25-24 on a 24-yard field goal by Michael Badgley with 5 seconds to play. His kick was the final play of a 91-yard drive that was barely kept alive on a miraculous 4th and 10 conversion catch made on a tipped ball by Hurricane wideout Darrell Langham.

Malik Rosier was 8 of 10 for 88 yards on that final drive, completing several bubble screens that Tech could not stop. The Yellow Jackets held a 24-14 lead entering the 4th period but could generate little offense in an attempt to put the game away. Tech’s defense was not quite up to the last minute task, either, leading to Badgers winning kick.

Another one-point loss. Another nail-biter. For the 2nd time this season, Georgia Tech lost a one-point decision by giving up a 4th quarter lead and fading at the finish. It’s the kind of loss that leads to much retrospection, reliving so many things that might have made for a different outcome. It’s only the 9th time in 72 chances that Paul Johnson’s Yellow Jackets have lost a game after taking a lead into the 4th quarter.

For the Tech Coach, it was a straightforward assessment. “Their guy doesn’t catch a double-batted ball, we win. That’s football,” said Johnson in his post-game remarks to RamblinWreck.com.

Yellow Jacket A Back JJ Greene had scored twice in the first half to help Tech build a 14-13 lead at the break. A gamble by Mark Richt to open the 2nd half helped Tech build that lead to 21-13. Miami tried an onside kick which was scooped up by Lamont Simmons and returned 47 yards for a touchdown.

Miami running back Travis Homer generated a strong running game with 170 yards on 20 carries. Miami gained 481 yards total, far above Tech’s 281.

Georgia Tech tries to get back on track against Wake Forest in Atlanta next Saturday night.