Georgia Tech Trips Up Duke
Yellow Jackets Deliver A 23-20 Overtime Win On Homecoming Day
Brent Key was named interim had coach on September 26. Just 12 days later, he has accomplished a small feat that somehow evaded his predecessor for over 3 years– he has won two games in a row.
For most of Georgia Tech’s football history, winning two straight was not a moment of much note, much less celebration. But under Geoff Collins, it became an odd watch-stat…albeit one that never came. Of course, cynics will remind us that when you win only 10 games out of 38 played, your chances to win two straight are pretty small just speaking from a mathematical vantage point. Whatever your perspective, that particular dragon is slayed and so now Key and his charges get a mini- break. They call it a bye week, but it’s not a full week off– the next game is a Thursday night affair at homs on October 20 vs Virginia. The Cavaliers are having a rough season, so Key’s unexpected task will be to avoid having his team take their next game as a sure win before the opening kickoff occurs. While we are still learning Key’s management style– and he is still developing same– it seems likely that he will be able to steer the Jackets around the complacency iceberg. And if you had told him 2 weeks ago, that the upcoming game might be win #3, he would have gladly taken that scenario.
Georgia Tech controlled this homecoming game for most of the first 52 plus minutes. The Jackets were up 10-3 at the half and that lead was extended to 20-6 in the second half by a Sims to Blackburn TD pass plus another Stewart 3- pointer. Tech’s defense had effectively bottled up Riley Leonard and Duke for most the day. But momentum changed jerseys late 4th quarter when Duke’s Hagan returned a Shanahan punt 81 yards down the right sideline for Duke’s first touchdown. Following another stalled Tech possession, Hagan worked more magic, returning another punt 40 plus yards well inside Tech territory. From there Riley guided his offense into the end zone again to bring the score to 20 all. Tech’s first possession in overtime yielded another Gavin Stewart field goal, his third of the game. Virginia’s possession was flawed by a pass interference call that pushed the ball back about 20 yards. From there the field goal attempt to again tie the game went wide left and the Jackets had their win, to run their record to 3-3.
A jubilant Tech crowd celebrated beyond your usual 3-3 mark, showing more evidence that a widespread relief is feeding energy about the new regime. For his part,, Brent Key was happy to secure the win. He allowed as how the players had played well enough , long enough to secure the win. But he also noted that this game served evidence that his team must learn how to win. Meaning how to put the other team away when you have the chance.
Tech fans noted that Duke’s 4th quarter TD drive was aided by 3 Tech penalties worth 45 yards and two first downs. But it was also true that Duke’s final drive was stymied by a pass interference call too.
Still , Tech got the W and now gets a brief break before beginning the seasons second half. There was plenty to assess and clean up on this night, but the team under Key is making definite progress–the kind anyone can see.
Patrick Conarro
RamblinSports.com