Georgia Tech’s collapse at Stanford sends Jackets to third loss in four games

STANFORD — Georgia Tech has two weeks to stew on its latest loss.

The Yellow Jackets squandered a double-digit halftime lead and lost 34-27 Saturday at Stanford, predicted to finish last in the ACC in the preseason.

It was the third loss in four games to start the season for the Jackets, with expectations following last year’s flirtation with the College Football Playoff demolished before the end of September.

It started for Tech well enough.

Quarterback Alberto Mendoza completed 12 of his first 15 passes, Trelain Maddox notched his first career two-touchdown performance, and Aidan Birr made two field goals to set the school record with 63 for his career.

The Jackets led 20-10 at halftime despite a 10:30 p.m. EDT kickoff following a 2,500-mile trip.

Then it fell apart.

Cardinal quarterback Davis Warren finished with 396 yards passing — the most Tech has allowed in the Brent Key era —and three touchdowns.

That was a dramatic departure from Tech’s defensive woes to start the season. Entering Saturday as one of the worst run defenses in the country, the Yellow Jackets instead watched Warren average 18 yards per completion as Stanford nearly abandoned a rushing attack that couldn’t muster more than three yards per carry.

The Yellow Jackets were without more than a half-dozen starters due to injury, including leading tackler safety Savion Riley and senior captain linebacker Kyle Efford.

Still, the performance was jarring considering Stanford (2-2, 1-2) lost its to first two conference games to Miami and Duke by a combined score of 80-13.

Stanford scored 24 straight points after halftime, taking a two-touchdown lead early in the fourth quarter.

Mendoza answered with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Jaiven Plummer. The comeback fell short, though, as Mendoza threw an interception on Tech’s next drive and its last chance ended with a turnover on downs.

Mendoza finished his first collegiate start on the road 25-of-38 for 285 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

Tech’s Justice Haynes had 107 yards rushing on 18 carries. Maddox 88 total yards, catching one touchdown and running for another score.