Tech Trounces UNC

Jackets’ QB Jeff Sims Revs Up A High Octane Offense In A 45-22 Win At Mercedes Benz

He once was lost…but now is found. Georgia Tech quarterback Jeff Sims reappeared from the shadows on Saturday night, just in time to lead his team to an offensive explosion, putting UNC squarely on their Tar Heels. After an injury-based absence stretching back over the past two plus games, Sims subbed in for starting quarterback Jordan Yates late in the 2nd quarter. To that point, Yates and his mates had posted a total of 6 points off the leg of kicker Brent Cimaglia. Tech’s  no-touchown streak was nearing 6 quarters of football going back through the entire Clemson game.

Sims promptly punched in a touchdown on an 11 yard run up the middle to give Tech a 13-7 lead at the half. He was back at the controls in the third quarter and proceeded to show out with an artful mix of running and passing that befuddled the Carolina defense, producing 32 second-half points.

Perhaps the UNC braintrust could feel a fresh measure of anxiety with Sims skillfully guiding the Jackets’ offense. Whatever their reasoning, early in the 3rd period and down by only 6 points, the Tar Heels tried to convert a 4th and short from their own 39. They failed. Sims made quick use of the gift, covering the distance to the end zone in just two runs, the second of which covered one yard for the score.

Following a Carolina punt, Tech and Sims next covered 81 yards on 8 plays in under 3 minutes with RB Jahmyr Gibbs doing the honors on a 4 yard touchdown run to boost the score to 27-7.

UNC’s Sam Howell responded with a 6 play, 75 yard drive of his own, culminating in the short touchdown pass to Morales. The Tar Heels drew within 13 with a couple minutes left in the 3rd quarter. A 13 point margin with 17 minutes to play is not insurmountable, as fans of the team that plays at Mercedes- Benz on Sundays know all too well.

Here then was a breakpoint in the game, as the Tar Heels had some momentum.  If Tech were to fall short here, they were at risk for another Clemson-like outcome–close and respectable, yes, but with no W. But once more, Sims engineered a long scoring drive, this one ending in spectacular fashion with an acrobatic tiptoe catch in the end zone by Malachi Carter. The 2- point conversion from WR PeJe Harris to TE Dylan Leonard put a cherry on top to take the margin out to 35-14 about a minute into the 4th quarter.

Tech would add another 10 points in the 4th quarter with another Cimaglia field goal and one more touchdown run by #10, QB Sims. His final tally came on an almost elegant 50 yard jaunt with just over a minute left.

By this point it was evident to all that Mack Brown and company really had no answer for Sims. Tech’s young quarterback showed off an array of running and passing skills that left the Tar Heels’ defense wary and off balance. His ability to break free on a meaningful runs, coupled with a new higher degree of passing accuracy (10 of 13 for 128 yards with no interceptions) made for a tough night for the defenders from Chapel Hill.

Make no mistake though, Tech’s offense was not the whole show. The Yellow Jackets’ defense held the Tar Heels to only 63 yards rushing on 35 carries. They sacked Howell 8 times and recovered three Carolina fumbles. Tech’s D effectively rendered UNC one- dimensional on offense, and though star QB Howell had an impressive set of stats (25 of 36 for 306 yards) at game’s end, his team never seriously challenged for control of the game past the mid-3rd quarter. The 3-3-5 alignment that DC Andrew Thacker had unveiled at Clemson once again showed to good effect on this night, especially for Tech’s trio of linebackers.

This game was important to Georgia Tech in ways big and small. It is a victory and an ACC victory. And this win squares the overall record at 2-2. (plenty of people would have had Tech at 2-2 at this point, but not with this path). On a larger scale, this win also serves as vindication of sorts for Jeff Sims, and for his coach, Geoff Collins. Sims looked smooth and confident, showing two qualities that had been lacking in 2021 for the talented Floridian. As for Collins, he has been telling anyone who would listen (and more than a few who wouldn’t) that his Tech team was making progress. Among his many visions of glory for Georgia Tech football was seeing downtown Atlanta show up in a glamorous setting and rev up a full stadium to see Tech prevail. On this night at Mercedes-Benz, that Collins vision certainly seemed more attainable than it had prior– giving a glimpse of what’s possible to the Tech fan base and recruits, and the players themselves.. This big win over a ranked UNC team, a two touchdown favorite, was a dramatic and tangible step in a positive direction for the Georgia Tech program.

From here, Tech hosts Pittsburgh next Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium on a noon kickoff. Per Tech Coach Geoff Collins, every position on the team is up for open competition each week, including quarterback. Still, it’s tough to imagine Sims not trotting out with the offense against Pitt. Then again, who saw this coming at the Benz?

Parrick Conarro

9RamblinSports.com