Tech Roars Back Late To Beat Visiting Louisville

Yellow Jackets Avoid Turnovers To Bounce Back From Halftime Deficit In 46-27 Friday Night Win

Georgia Tech players heard it loudly and clearly for 13 solid days following their unexpected loss at Syracuse. “Fumbles, infractions and picks, oh my!” went the refrain from Tech coaches to their charges. Ok, that’s probably not an exact quote. Adjectives and volume may have varied. But however Geoff Collins and his staff said it, the Yellow Jackets definitely got the message regarding turnovers and penalties, where Tech showed marked improvement from one game prior–and had an ACC win to show for it. Tech’s Friday night comeback win over Louisville showed quite clearly how winning the turnover battle often leads to winning the game. Louisville lost 3 fumbles. Tech had none. Neither team had an interception. Those 3 fumbles not only denied the Cardinals opportunities, but provided same for Tech. And like good teams do, they took full advantage, logging 19 points off turnovers, and prevailing by…19 points with an exhilarating 4th quarter pull-away win.

The 46 points are a high- water mark for the 16-game Collins era. Moreover, that 46 point total more befits a team that again this night gained well over 400 yards– as they’ve done every game this season. Until Friday, Tech’s offense this year has been more of a bash-but-don’t-break -through unit when it came to converting big yardage into actual points. Coming into this game, Georgia Tech had averaged 450 yards of offense per game in 2020, but scored an average of only 19 points. The difference Friday was the turnovers. After all, Louisville did gouge Tech’s defense for 471 yards– but the Cardinals were outscored 20-0 in the decisive 4th quarter. In some ways, this game was oddly reminiscent of the Tech-UCF game, except here the Jackets were the beneficiaries of the 2nd half largesse–and they made good on the opportunities.

As for the comeback part, Georgia Tech had been there before. In fact, in this strange season, they’ve not been anywhere else–“there” referring to being in the halftime locker room facing a deficit. Against Louisville on a soggy Friday night in Atlanta, that margin was only seven. That’s actually smaller than usual. And it took the Jackets just a bit over eight minutes into the 3rd period to tie it up–almost. A 3-yard plunge by Jamious Griffin capped a 66-yard Tech drive. That score did not, however, tie the game, as Tech suffered yet another blocked PAT. It was the 6th time in this young season that Tech has allowed a blocked kick. That’s a total that defies belief.

But the Jackets did not waste any time scoring again. Bruce Jordan-Swilling caused and recovered a fumble on Louisville’s kickoff return. 3 plays later, on a 22 yard scramble, Jeff Sims scored again for Tech, only 78 seconds after Griffin’s TD. Sims sped through the left side to give Tech a 5-point lead at 26-21. Collins elected to go for 2, but the play failed, leaving Tech up 5.

Louisville reclaimed the lead on an 11-yard TD run by mercurial QB Malik Cunningham, capping a methodical 12-play, 75-yard drive, ending just as the 3rd quarter wound down. The Cardinals also went for 2 and also failed, leaving themselves with a slim 27-26 lead.

The visitors would not score again. Georgia Tech tallied 3 more scores, starting with a spectacular effort by RB Jahmyr Gibbs on a 19-yard reception from Sims. Gibbs launched himself up and over the unfortunate Cardinal defender standing between him and the goal line. Next came Malachi Carter on a 34-yard catch and run and then Dontae Smith finished the scoring on a 12-yard run with under a minute left. The quick scores came courtesy of another Cardinal fumble, helping Tech to break open a tight game.

The result was a satisfying win, what Collins called ” a team win”. And while Louisville is a decent squad, the order is much taller this Saturday when #1 ranked Clemson visits Bobby Dodd Stadium. Collins and crew will need all of their resources on hand and functioning at a high level to have a chance to bring down the mighty Tigers. The Jackets will be big underdogs at home–but if they again play clean football, they will give themselves a chance. Georgia Tech last beat Clemson in 2014. Dabo and company pounded Tech in the 2019 opener, but this year’s squad of Yellow Jackets features more talent and experience than the Tech team Clemson faced last year. The lessons Tech applied in this win over Louisville apply even more broadly against Clemson, who brings deep talent to bear against each opponent. Tech must make the Tigers earn everything and must in turn take advantage of each opportunity they encounter. A win here will come only, as Geoff Collins says, as a ” team win”. Each unit must pull its weight. Even the special teams will need to put their best foot forward for Georgia Tech.

Patrick Conarro

RamblinSports