On a misty and overcast afternoon far from Atlanta, Georgia Tech and quarterback Justin Thomas pulled out a game that hearkened back to 2014.

Thomas led the Yellow Jackets on a game-winning 59-yard touchdown drive, capped with a four-yard touchdown run by B-back Dedrick Mills with 35 seconds left, to beat Boston College 17-14 in the season opener at Aviva Stadium. The drive was kept alive by a 22-yard pass play on a fourth-and-19 to A-back Qua Searcy.

In their first-ever game off American soil, the Jackets revived with 10 points on their final two drives after picking up nary a first down over the previous seven possessions. The Tech defense was plundered on two second-half touchdown drives that gave Boston College a 14-7 lead with 11:46 left, but secured a three-and-out in the waning minutes to set up the Jackets’ game-winning drive.

Tech lost games in this manner a year ago, going 1-6 in games decided by one possession. The Jackets were 3-3 in one-possession games in 2014, with notable last-minute escapes against Georgia Southern and Virginia Tech that set the tone for the 11-win season.

Tech (1-0 overall, 1-0 ACC) benefited from two missed Eagles field goals. Boston College (0-1, 0-1) lost despite limiting the Jackets to 240 yards of total offense.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Georgia Tech football coach Brent Key, here talking to the team in April, has landed six players from the transfer portal this spring.  (Bob Andres for the AJC)

Credit: Bob Andres/AJC

Featured

The Midtown Atlanta skyline is shown in the background as an employee works in Cargill's new office, Jan. 16, 2025, in Atlanta.  (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com