Happy Homecoming! Georgia Tech opened their homecoming with a record of 5-3 (4-2 within the conference) and a load of confidence against a formidable Pittsburgh Panther squad. The Yellow Jackets were quick to put points on the board when Running Back David Sims rushed for a 12-yd touchdown. Their offensive force slowed down a bit once they got the ball back with a 3 play series that netted a mere 6 yards.
Once we got into the 2nd quarter Pitt was able to respond with a 44-yd Field Goal by Chris Blewitt. The Yellow Jackets were able to bring some excitement to the game with their response on 4th down.
With a fake punt, the Jackets were able to get a 12-yd gain and a 1st down by Punter Sean Poole. 2 plays after the fake punt, RB Robert Godhigh was able to break 2 tackles and run for a 35-yd touchdown. After the successful point-after-attempt the score was GT 14, Pitt 3. With under 1:25 left to play in the half the Panthers tried to put up a last minute score but were unable to do so as the they went into the half with a sack by GT defender Euclid Cummings.
In the 2nd half the Panthers were able to drive down the field with a commanding force. Pitt Quarterback Tom Savage was able to find Wide Receiver Tyler Boyd in the corner-end-zone for a 14-yd touchdown strike. The Panthers ran 6 plays for 58 yards. With that last touchdown by Tyler Boyd the score was GT 14, Pitt 10.
Just as the Jackets were starting to drive RB David Sims fumbled the ball which was recovered by the Panthers’ Aaron Donald. Luckily for the Jackets the defense was able to hold firm and forced a punt. Once GT got the ball back the offense struggled to collect themselves as QB Vad Lee threw an errant pass that was almost intercepted, a rushing play for lost yardage, and a screen that only gained 4 yards. All of this resulted in a punt for the Jackets.
The 4th quarter was a stalemate as both teams’ defenses stood strong. With each team continuously punting back and forth it looked the like game was going to end 14-10 Georgia Tech. Pitt’s Aaron Donald was piling up his stats once the time hit 4:10 in the 4th quarter and picked up his 11th tackle (and had a sack as well). The Jackets were desperate to score at least once more and then daylight hit, Vad Lee connected with WR Deandre Smelter for a gain of 42-yds. The drive was finished with an 11-yd touchdown run by Robert Godhigh. So with 2:41 left to play in the game the score was GT 21, Pitt 10.
The Panthers’ QB Tom Savage was running a clinic as they marched to the Jackets side of the field. But luckily for Tech, Defensive End Jeremiah Attaochu came up big with 2 crucial tackles to force multiple 3rd down situations. But finally Savage made 1 mistake that cost him as Safety Jemea Thomas made an interception with 33 seconds left in the game, ending the Panthers’ hopes for a comeback. So with 2 victory formations, the Jackets ended the game 21-10. It was a great victory for the Jackets and increased their record to 6-3 and secures their 2nd place spot in the ACC Coastal Division, vying for a Chick-fil-a Bowl spot.