Georgia Tech handed Miami coach Mark Richt his first loss at Bobby Dodd Stadium on Saturday as the Yellow Jackets sailed to a 27-21 victory.
Penalties and costly turnovers cost Richt continued perfection in games he coached at Tech. Dating to 1992 during his time at Florida State, Richt continued a perfect tenure in Bobby Dodd Stadium with 14 consecutive wins -- until Saturday.
In those games, Richt’s teams averaged 33.5 points against the Jackets. Saturday’s victory marks Tech’s first win over Miami in four years, dating to its last win over the Hurricanes in 2014.
“I hate to lose,” wide receiver Brad Stewart said. “Winning is awesome. I love it, but I hate to lose.”
In his first year with Miami in 2016, Richt’s Hurricanes comfortably defeated Georgia Tech 35-21, outdoing his team’s average against the Jackets. However, Richt’s team failed to find comfort Saturday as the Hurricanes trailed the Jackets starting in the first quarter and continuing until the end of the game. After Saturday’s loss, Richt’s all-time record against Tech –– between his time at FSU, Georgia, and Miami over the past 27 years –– fell to 24-3.
“Every team is different,” Tech coach Paul Johnson said. “I think this is the second time he’s been in Bobby Dodd with Miami, so he’s 1-1.”
Tech’s defense held the Hurricanes to 21 points Saturday. The Jackets defense also held Miami to 299 total yards, the Hurricanes’ least amount of yards this season. Miami didn’t help its cause, turning the ball over three times and allowing Tech’s offense over 30 minutes in possession.
The Jackets took advantage of Miami’s self-inflicted mistakes to gather a bigger lead over a nationally ranked defense. A fumbled kickoff return and a dropped kickoff catch set up 10 points for Tech.
“I love the ball,” defensive back Charlie Thomas said. “Seeing them with it, I just want to go get it.”
Tech quarterback TaQuon Marshall led the Jackets to their first win over a Richt team in Atlanta. Marshall rushed for 92 yards and two touchdowns against a Hurricanes defense that is ranked second nationally in total defense.
“He’s been involved in every single meeting and every single rep in practice,” Stewart said. “He still wasn’t 100 percent tonight, but he really did his studying and his practicing. I am looking forward to what’s to come in these next two games.”
With help from Miami’s costly mistakes, Tech claimed its sixth victory this season for bowl eligibility. The Jackets improved its winning streak to three games heading into another ACC matchup against Virginia on Nov. 17.
