Georgia Tech Holds on to Beat Hokies
Georgia Tech created a 4th quarter lead–and then, surprisingly, held it–to beat #17 Virginia Tech 28-22 in Atlanta on Saturday. In so doing, the Yellow Jackets (5-4, 4-3 ACC) broke their 2017 habit of losing close games late.
Yellow Jacket QB TaQuon Marshall led his team back from a 22-21 4th quarter deficit by hitting Ricky Jeune for an 80-yard touchdown. Marshall and his mates then watched as their defense held that lead on the Hokies last possession. There was drama, of course, as the visitors drove deep into Yellow Jacket territory, converting on two 4th downs in the process, before finally running out of tricks, falling short on a pass into the end zone on yet another 4th down.
Georgia Tech won this game on the strength of several big plays. The first was a 69-yard sprint by Nathan Cottrell in the first quarter that set up a short TD run by Marshall to take a 7-3 lead.
Later in the half, Marshall scored again and the Yellow Jackets took a 14-9 lead into the halftime. In the 2nd half, Marshall hit both Brad Stewart and Ricky Jeune with long scoring passes. These 3 plays constituted 209 yards of the Yellow Jackets total of 401.
For the game, Marshall completed only 2 of 8, but for 140 yards and the two scores. Coach Paul Johnson noted, “That’s a pretty good average, we’ll live with that.”
One area Johnson wasn’t pleased with was his team’s special teams play. Georgia Tech’s day included a muffed snap on a punt, a fumbled punt return and allowing a long kickoff return to the Hokies just after the Jackets 2nd score, putting them in position for a quick answer TD.
Virginia Tech Coach Justin Fuente elected to go for two points after two Hokie touchdowns, failing on both. He also called for passes twice on fourth and short, including on their final play. That last pass was broken up by Tech safety Ajani Kerr to seal the outcome.
Georgia Tech players were jubilant after the hard-won victory. They had extended a 5 game home win streak, beaten a ranked team, and put themselves in position to gain bowl eligibility with a win at Duke.
For Virginia Tech, it was a second consecutive road loss. They return to Blacksburg next weekend.