Georgia Tech Dispatches Kennesaw State

Collins’ Crew Bounces Back From Their Week One Disappointment With a 45-17 Win Over the Visiting Owls

On a fine sunny Saturday afternoon before a cozyish Heroes’ Day crowd at Bobby Dodd Stadium, Georgia Tech took care of business. Tech jumped out to an early lead over visiting neighbor and FCS member Kennesaw State and then controlled things from that point forward to gain a win and square their record at 1-1.

Jordan Yates, starting his first game at quarterback for Tech, worked with seeming comfort in leading the Tech offense to an early 17 point lead. Yates was smooth in his game management, completing 17 of 23 passes on the day for 254 yards. He established a school record by tossing four TD pases in the game, the most ever for a first-time starter Tech QB. Just as important, he and his mates yielded only a single turnover and a mere five penalties. In doing so, they made KSU’s uphill climb too steep to navigate. The Owls have been an FCS power in their brief existence, but on this day they were overmatched physically and athletically. As such, they needed much help from their host in the form of turnovers and miscues-but found little. And so it was that Tech’s postgame chatter struck a happier tone than a week ago, as notching a win does make all things better, at least in the moment.

Geoff Collins was effusive in his postgame praise of his troops and his coaches. He noted that they all maintained focus through a tough week filled with doubt and criticism on social media and elsewhere following last week’s opening loss to lightly regarded Northern Illinois. He also stated that this win over KSU was strong evidence of Tech’s overall progress since losing to the Citadel, another triple option team, two years ago.

In fact, the Owls moved the ball effectively on each of their first two possessions, but fell prey to fumbles on each occasion. The first one cost them yardage and forced a punt, which Yates and gang promptly converted into an 8 play, 81 yard drive ending with a 6 yard touchdown pass to RB Jordan Mason to put Tech in the lead.

When the Owls again moved downfield on their next possession, another fumble forced by Tech’s Jordan Domineck ended that threat decisively. Domineck forced an errant pitch and he then recovered it and sprinted down the sideline 70 yards for another score. This single play allowed Tech to control the pace from there, putting KSU in a difficult hole.

Collins praised Domineck postgame, noting that this spectacular play was the direct product of extra work that his defensive end had put in during the preceding week’s preparation for the Owls’ triple option offense.

As the first quarter drew to a close, the stats told an interesting story. The two teams were about equal in yards gained. KSU had a huge advantage in time of possession with nearly 12 minutes on offense. But Tech was in control of the score, thanks to the two fumbles by the Owls. And via that route, Tech had done one big thing better than a week earlier– jump out early on an inferior opponent.

Another improved performance for the Yellow Jackets surfaced in the 2nd quarter when kicker Brent Cimaglia hit a 31 yard field goal, his first 3-pointer at Tech after missing on two attempts a week earlier. On the day, Cimaglia again was perfect on PAT’s, going 6 for 6 and looking in general more like the important offensive weapon that he had been touted to be through the summer. Collins praised his kicker’s attitude and work ethic. He also cited the continued good work by kickoff man Gavin Stewart who had six kickoffs this day, none of which was returned.

The visitors did finally get on the scoreboard with Robertson’s 46 yard field goal later in the second quarter, but Tech quickly answered with a 4 yard touchdown pass from Yates to Kyrec McGowan to take a 24-3 lead at halftime. McGowan had two touchdown catches on the day, earning kudos from Collins who called him ” a pleasure to coach”.

For the day, the Yates-led offense produced 412 total yards, with a mix of 23 passes to go with 36 rushing attempts. Yates was sacked three times. Tech’s running game was more productive on the outside. Dontae Smith was the Jackets’ leading rusher with 82 yards on 8 carries with one TD. Jordan Mason and Jamious Griffin had tougher sledding on the inside, with a combined 11 carries for just 27 yards.

Tech’s defense did an effective job of calming the Owls’ running game. The visitors totaled 208 yards on 43 carries. Tech LB Charlie Thomas had two interceptions in the game, including one that was stunningly acrobatic. The Owls were able to add two scores in the fourth quarter to tighten things a bit, but Dontae Smith’s 10 TD yard run re-established Tech’s control and provided the final margin.

The Jackets on this day took the task before them and handled it. They looked more like the team that their fans had expected to see a week earlier. And obviously the schedule gets far tougher now, starting with a nationally televised road game at Clemson next Saturday afternoon. There is much to do to prepare. But that work will be pursued this week with the happier tone that a win on Saturday brings.

To go with all the good, there were some shortcomings on this day. The Jackets gave up two quick 4th quarter touchdowns, the second of which followed a recovered onside kick by KSU. The outcome of this game was no longer in doubt at that point, but that might not be the case vs. a tougher opponent. Too, the Jackets were whistled for five penalties– not a huge number, but two of those flags led to first downs. Again, that’s a bigger deal when the stakes are higher. And finally, Tech’s O line did surrender the three sacks despite the oft-demonstrated mobility of QB Jordan Yates. Those plays are drive-killers if playing a tougher defense.

But at the end of the day, Tech took care of its task, and now jumps into a week of intense preparation to visit– and challenge– the Clemson Tigers. The game at Death Valley is a 3:30 start on national television, just the kind of exposure Collins points out to prospective players on the recruiting front. Tech fans are eager to see this version of the Yellow Jackets compete against Dabo Swinney’s vaunted Tigers, who also hold a 1-1 record as week three approaches. Tech players and fans are looking to avenge the 73-7 loss to Clemson last year in Atlanta.

Patrick Conarro

RamblinSports