Georgia Tech Turns Back Wolfpack
On A Primetime Rebound Mission, The Jackets Vanquish NC State , 28-26
Seeking redemption from their most disappointing loss of a season that has produced more than few losses, Georgia Tech held off NC State (4-6,1-5) in a Thursday night thriller at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Techs Christian Campbell turned back an attempted 2 point conversion with 5 minutes to go, allowing Tech’s offense the opportunity to finsih out the game. Which they did.The preceding Saturday saw the Jackets struggle in all phases, leading to a 45-0 shellacking by Virginia Tech that somehow did not seem even that close. Tech then faced a short week to ready themselves for the visitors from Raleigh. Regardless, the Jackets heeded their Coach’s advice. ” We told them to start fast and strike early” said Collins in his post-game remarks.
On the first play from scrimmage, James Graham connected with Malachi Carter on a 54 yard pass to jumpstart the Jackets offense. Jordan Mason lost a yard on a handoff, but on the next play Graham found Ahmarean Brown for a touchdown on a 17 yard toss.
Boom! It was 7-0 Tech after Brenton King converted the PAT, only 67 seconds into the game.
NC State tried to reciprocate going 64 yards on 11 plays on their first possession. Hiwever, the Wolfpack was turned back on an attempted conversion of a 4th and 2 play at the Tech 10 yard line. Jordan Domineck threw Z Knight for a one yard loss, giving the ball back to the Jackets at their own 11 yard line.
Tech’s next opportunity came one possession later when Jordan Mason broke free off left tackle and sailed 48 yards to the State 30. Graham found Carter again for 20 yards, but Tech lost the ball on a Graham fumble on the following play.
On the Jackets next possession, Mason and Graham again led the charge, culminating in Graham’s 13 yard touchdown toss to Tobias Oliver to make it 14-0.
The Wolfpack finally scored on a 20 yard field goal after their 93 yard drive stalled out inside the Tech 5 yard line. The Jackets could not move on their next possession, but Harvins 4y yard puntvwas fumvled by Tjomas and recoverd by Tech.
With just over a minute in the half, Graham took the Jackets in for the score. He found Brown in the end zone from 11 yards out to complete the drive which was aided by a personal foul penalty on the Pack.
Thus Tech took.a comfortable 21-3 lead to the locker room. They had indeed started fast.
The 2nd hal was a different story. NC State had 4 possessions in the hakf, scoring 3 td’s and a field goal.
Tech had a tiuchdown drive inthe 3rd qtr, then went cold. When the Pack scored on Persons 1 yard plunge to finish an 80 yard drive, the game came to a turning point. State went for 2 and the tie, but QB Leary’s throwback pass was stymied by senior Christian Campbell
Tech DB Christian Campbell foiled NC State’s 2 point conversion, preserving a 2 point 4th quarter lead.
who blitzed from the right side, forcing an errant throw.
Tech RB Jordan Mason ran for 142 yards in the win.
From there, Tech’s offense woke up to hold the ball through the games final 5 minutes. Graham and mates ran 9 plays , gaining 2 first downs to use the remaining clock, sealing the Jackets 3rd win. Jordan Mason carried the ball on 8 of those plays, to finish the night with 142 yards on 22 carries.