Georgia Tech Football: Georgia Tech Upsets Virginia Tech In Blacksburg
By Seth Carson
Virginia Tech entered the game as a potential team to beat in the ACC, following their recent upset win over the Ohio State Buckeyes. Georgia Tech needed a big win to make their case that they are a team to watch in the chase for the ACC title, and win big they did, notching a 27-24 upset win over their conference rivals Saturday afternoon.
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Georgia Tech got out to an early start, thanks to Justin Thomas putting the Yellow Jackets in scoring position by rushing for 54 combined yards on the opening drive. Harrison Butker would connect on a 43-yard field goal to put the Yellow Jackets up 3-0.
Georgia Tech struggled to keep Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Brewer from moving the ball through the air on the Hokies initial drive. After giving up a 22-yard pass to receiver Sam Rogers, the Yellow Jackets’ defense didn’t allow the Hokies’ offense to penetrate the red zone, resulting in a 42-yard field goal by kicker Joey Slye, tying the game 3-3.
Virginia Tech started to heat up during the second quarter. Slye hit a 33 yard field goal to open the quarter, giving the Hokies a 6-3 lead. On the next Hokies’ drive, Marshawn Williams moved the Hokies into the red zone following a 17-yard run.
On the very next play, Williams busted through for a 6-yard touchdown, putting Virginia Tech up 13-3. Georgia Tech would fail to put points on the board for the next three consecutive drives.
With 3:24 left in the first half, Georgia Tech moved the ball to midfield following an 18 yard pass to DeAndre Smelter. Following a run by Justin Thomas for 7 yards, and two runs by Zach Laskey for a combined 10 yard gain, Justin Thomas moved the Yellow Jackets into the red zone with a 19-yard dart to Deon Hill. On the very next play, Justin Thomas ran the ball 11-yards to Virginia Tech’s 5-yard line.
Virginia Tech was popped with a personal foul, resulting in a first and goal from the Hokies’ two yard line. Justin Thomas then scored on a 2-yard scamper into the end zone, narrowing the Hokies’ lead to 13-10. Virginia Tech would score another field goal giving the Hokies a 16-10 lead at the half.
Georgia Tech came out determined and focused for the second half. Chris Milton blocked a 32-yard field goal attempt by Slye with 10:42 left in the 3rd quarter. The Yellow Jackets responded by moving the ball within field goal range, but Harrison Butker’s kick would plunk off the right upright, no good. Neither team would score for the remainder of the quarter.
Careless errors would eventually become the Hokies undoing in this game. They had 12 total penalties resulting in a combined loss of 76 yards. Brewer had moved the Hokies to Georgia Tech’s 44-yard line, before an illegal block and a false start knocked them back to their own 36. On the very next play Paul Davis picked off a Brewer pass and returned it 41-yards for a touchdown, giving Georgia Tech its second lead of the game, 17-16 with 11:22 left in the game.
Virginia Tech answered back on their next drive following a 19 yard pass from Michael Brewer to Cam Phillips, which moved the ball to the Georgia Tech’s 44 yard line. Three plays later, Brewer took off 21 yards for a touchdown, the two point conversion was successful, putting Virginia Tech back in the lead, 24-17.
With 5:21 left in the game, Georgia Tech would start their most important drive of the game. Justin Thomas hit DeAndre Smelter for 14 yards, moving the ball to Georgia Tech’s own 45 yard line. Thomas would then move the Yellow Jackets to midfield on a 5 yard carry. Georgia Tech faced a do or die 4th and 15 from midfield. Justin Thomas was clutch, hitting Smelter for a huge 19 yard gain, which seemed to break the Hokies’ back, as two plays later, the two would hook up again, this time on a 31 yard game tying touchdown pass.
On the first play of Virginia Tech’s next drive, Michael Brewer gave up a game crippling interception to defensive back D.J. White. Georgia Tech started their game winning drive from the Hokies 40 yard line, but on the opening play of the drive they were called for a false start, backing them up to the Hokies 45 yard line. Justin Thomas then ran for 7 yards, moving the ball to the Hokies’ 38 yard line.
Two plays later, he again hooked up with Smelter on a 19 yard pass, moving the Yellow Jackets into field goal range. Following Justin Thomas running the ball down the Hokies’ 5 yard line.
Harrison Butker clinched the upset road win with a 24 yard field goal as time expired.
Georgia Tech is now 4-0 overall, and 1-0 in ACC play this season. This win over Virginia Tech on the road was huge, as it give them momentum and confidence as they return home to enjoy a bye week off, before hosting the Miami Hurricanes at home on October 4th.