Georgia Tech Holds Off Virginia in OT

Yellow Jackets’ Special Teams Help Make Senior Night Extra-Special in 30-27 Win

On a night designated to honor Georgia Tech’s senior football class, 2 freshmen led the way to a scintillating overtime victory over Virginia. Juanyeh Thomas returned a kickoff 77 yards for a touchdown and fellow freshman Wesley Wells hit 4 field goals to push Tech over the top in a 30-27 victory.

“I try to kick them all the same. The nerves don’t usually get to me” These were the sage post-game words of Wells , who had just completed the biggest game of his young career, hitting all 4 of his field goal attempts, the last of which sailed true from 40 yards to provide the ultimate winning margin in a dramatic ACC Coastal win.

Following Wells’ 40 yarder in OT , which glanced through after gently deflecting off the right upright, Virginia got their possession at the Tech 25. The Cavaliers gained only 7 yards on 3 rushing plays and then sent kicker Brian Delaney, who moments earlier had tied the game with 1 second left in regulation on a 32- yarder, back out onto the field. When Delaney hooked it left from 35 yards, Bobby Dodd Stadium erupted in loud celebration.

For Georgia Tech, the win was their 4th in a row and 6th of their last 7 games , providing further distance from their rough 1-3 start. Tech’s overall record moved to 7-4 (5-3 ACC) potentially earning them a better bowl game and setting the stage for their regular season showdown against UGA in Athens next week.

Along with the starring freshmen, several seniors had memorable games as well. QB TaQuon Marshall ran 15 times for 107 yards. LB Brant Mitchell sacked Cavalier QB Bryce Perkins in the end zone to produce a 1st quarter safety. WR Brad Stewart made a spectacular diving catch of a 37- yard toss from Marshall, critical to setting up Wells’ 48-yard field goal in the 4th quarter. KB Jalen Johnson had 9 tackles including an 11 yard sack of Perkins. And DE Henri Saint-Amour made a diving stop of Perkins in Virginia’s OT possession, forcing the Cavs to settle for the field goal attempt that Delaney missed.

This win gave Tech seniors the satisfaction that comes with righting the ship after a slow start that could have led to a lost season. Instead, as Paul Johnson said, the seniors did not let that happen. “They did a great job of holding it together when it was 1-3, and that is not easy, I can promise you.” , said Tech’s head coach. .”…when you start out like that (1-3), it’s hard to keep everybody going in the same direction..”

His sentiments were echoed by QB TaQuon Marshall who saluted his teammates saying, ” Everybody just believed in each other …. We knew it was a marathon..” Those words seemed particularly apt on this night when Georgia Tech’s vaunted running game was largely held in check by the stout Virginia defense. Tech ran the ball 52 times for a respectable 268 yards, but far below their nation-leading 350 yards per game average. On top of that , Marshall completed only 1 of 8 passes, but the one completion, late in the 4th quarter to Stewart, was essential to the win.

On such a challenging night for the offense , the Yellow Jackets leaned heavily on big plays from their special teams. In addition to Wells’ placekicking exploits, sophomore punter Pressley Harvin pinned the Cavaliers at their own 1 yard line with a booming 1st quarter punt, leading directly to Mitchell’s safety 2 plays later. Harvin also launched a 3rd quarter punt that glanced off Virginia’s Darrius Bratton, giving Tech possession at the Cavalier 41 when LB Victor Alexander recovered. The Yellow Jackets used 11 straight running plays to convert the turnover to a touchdown, with Jerry Howard doing the honors from 3 yards out. Once again, Paul Johnson elected to go for 2 points, and Clinton Lynch took the pitch from Marshall to glide into the left side of the end zone, pushing Tech’s lead to 3.

With just over a minute left, Perkins was able to bring his team back down the field to set up Delaney’s tying field goal at the end of regulation. Virginia coach Bronco Mendenhall cited his team’s strong effort. “Ultimately, it was special teams miscues that made the difference” he said. And in that sense, it was an unusual victory for Georgia Tech, a team that thrives on long clock-eating drives. This night they instead found themselves leaning on special teams play , where earlier in the year special teams had not been so special. In this senior night game those same units led the way to victiry. (Though Paul Johnson did note the “…you still hold your breath..” when our kickoff coverage team is on the field).

Johnson had high praise for his kicker Wells. ” He’s just kind of even-keeled. He’s made every kick we’ve trotted him out there for.” Wells has had a remarkable run since earning the job un week 5. He has hit all 35 PAT’s and 8 of 8 field goal attempts. Johnson also predicted more good play from Thomas, saying that he will “return a few more before he’s done here”.

Georgia Tech travels to Athens next week for their annual showdiwn with UGA (10-1). The Jackets have won their last two games in Athens but will be heavy underdogs to the 5th-ranked Bulldogs.

Patrick Conarro

Captions:

1) Tech’s Wesley Wells celebrates his 40 yard field goal in overtime.

2) Coach Paul Johnson was effusive in his praise of his seniors, citing their focus and resolve.

3) Clinton Lynch converts Tech’s 2 point play early in the 4th quarter, giving the Jackets a 24-21 lead.

Patrick Conarro