Tech Falls to Louisville
Yellow Jackets Give Up Halftime Lead And Lose Season Opener, 39-34
Georgia Tech Head Coach Brent Key said several times in the preseason that he was more focused on process than on result. Friday night at Mercedes Benz Stadium, he was presumably dissatisfied with both. With a loss and an overall erratic performance, Tech fell in the season opener for the 3rd consecutive year.
This first game of Tech’s 2023 season had several big momentum swings. The Jackets looked a little skittish in the early going as Louisville jumped out to a 6-0 lead. The Cardinals dominated play and Tech was fortunate to hold the deficit to only 6 points.The 2nd quarter, however, the Jackets found their footing in a spectacular fashion, scoring 28 points to create a 28-13 halftime lead. As they headed to the locker room, Tech seemed in control. Seemed.
The Cardinals took over in the 3rd quarter and then most of the 4th, snuffing out a late Tech hope by forcing a turnover to secure the win. Along the way, Tech’s performance was inconsistent, especially in the 2nd half. As Key said later there were ” flashes” of good execution. And surprisingly, Tech CB Jaylon King post-game allowed as how Tech players may have thought they had the game won at half. If so, then that part of “the process” definitely needs work.
That said, there was much to like in this game for Yellow Jacket fans. A quick check of the final stats showed some strong areas for Tech. Only 2 penalties. Allowing Louisville only 1 of 11 3rd down conversions. Gaining 7 yards per play. All good– which makes the final score a bit more frustrating.
Too, tbere were some concerns No sacks. No tackles for loss. Allowing the Cardinals over 7 yards per play.
This was a game Tech could have won. And maybe should have won. The second half featured key points when the Jackets’ execution just did not measure up to the magnitude of the moment. Gavin Stewart missed a 33 yard field goal that would have extended Tech’s lead after Louisville’s 3rd quarter charge. And worse, QB Haynes King fumbled away a possession deep in Cardinal territory when he was hit by a blind side rusher. He later said he had held the ball too long. The very next play yielded a 74 yard TD run for the Cardinals. This was a dagger to Tech’s hopes, a play in which Tech DB Jaylon King later said he had eased up, thinking fellow DB Clayton Powell- Lee had secured the tackle on his initial hit just beyond tbe line of scrimmage.
Those are not the moments that Key and staff wanted to see- or hear about– after long months of preparation for this game. Still, Tech’s “new” coach spoke with resolve post-game, saying he would review and revise and get ready for game 2 in 8 days. Tech’s true home opener will be on Saturday September 9 against South Carolina State.
Tech will be a heavy favorite, which was not always a happy scenario for the Jackets in recent years. The Jackets’ quality of play in game 2– their execution and focus– will tell us whether they have been able to learn and let go of the win that got away against Louisville.
Patrick Conarro
RamblinSports.com