Georgia Tech beats Mercer, but leaves plenty to be desired ahead of ACC play

Georgia Tech secured its first victory of the season Saturday against Mercer ahead of ACC play beginning next week.

The Yellow Jackets never trailed and won comfortably 44-11, but they still showed issues that hampered them in losses to Colorado and Tennessee.

Earlier this week, Tech coach Brent Key talked about building confidence after the 0-2 start. The Jackets (1-2) entered Saturday as 38.5-point betting favorites against FCS Mercer (2-2), giving them an opportunity to play more cleanly before traveling to Stanford next week for the ACC opener.

Saturday did little to ease those concerns.

Tech’s offense started with three-and-outs on two of its first three drives. Later, on the same drive, the Jackets had a touchdown overturned by review and another score wiped off the board by a holding penalty. They settled for three points.

Also in the first half, two Tech penalties helped Mercer threaten the end zone. A late hit and a hands-to-the-face penalty on a Bears’ drive in the second quarter led to what appeared to be a Mercer touchdown by Devon Caldwell. The score was overturned when replay revealed Caldwell stepped out of bounds.

The Bears settled for a field goal.

Tech’s most glaring defensive problem this season was also present. Mercer rushed for 207 yards (not counting losses on sacks), and averaged nearly five yards a carry. That tracks with how Colorado (183 yards rushing) and Tennessee (299) attacked the Jackets, despite run defense being a point of emphasis in practice this week, according to Key.

Special teams also cost Tech. The Bears blocked an extra-point attempt in the third quarter and returned it the other way for two points.

Amid those issues, the Jackets’ offense still produced enough big plays to pull away and defense kept Mercer out of the end zone.

Jackets running back Justice Haynes scored three touchdowns, two rushing and one receiving.

Haynes finished with 141 yards rushing on 22 carries and two receptions for 26 yards. Senior Chad Alexander added a 1-yard rushing touchdown.

Alberto Mendoza threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Javien Plummer in the second quarter and connected with Debron Gatling for a 33-yard score in the third.

Mendoza finished 15-of-21 for 249 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

And for the first time this season, the Jackets also forced turnovers.

Defensive end Taje McCoy forced a fumble in the first half, recovered by freshman Christian Speakman. Linebacker C.J. Gamble intercepted a pass in the fourth quarter.