Georgia Tech falls hard to Hurricanes

The Miami Hurricanes ceded the ACC’s Coastal Division to Georgia Tech last year when they removed themselves from the postseason, imposing that penalty upon themselves in an attempt to head off the NCAA.

On Saturday, for a while at least, they seemed to be still in the giving mood. Four turnovers they yielded to Tech. Just the opening an opponent requires when trying to upset the country’s 14th-ranked team.

But this is still Miami, Paul Johnson’s white whale, and head-to-head, these Canes cannot find a way to lose to those Yellow Jackets. Breaking open a game tied at 17 at halftime, the Hurricanes gained 297 of their 551 yards in the second half and distanced themselves from Tech, winning 45-30.

It was the fifth consecutive victory over Tech for Miami, now 5-0, 1-0 in the ACC. In Johnson’s 17-year coaching career, the only other team that has beaten him that consecutively was Notre Dame during his stay at Navy.

“We got off to a pretty good start, couldn’t have scripted a better start,” Johnson said. “We’re holding the ball, keeping the ball away from them, got a couple turnovers early and felt like we had a lot of momentum.”

Tech bolted to a 17-7 first-quarter lead on the strength of some typically long, grinding drives. By the end that quarter it had amassed a ridiculous edge in time of possession — 13 minutes, 1 second to just 1:59 for Miami.

The Hurricanes, conversely, expressed to the end zone for its first score, going 73 yards in two plays. That would be the beginning of a big-play theme for Miami. For the game, the Hurricanes averaged 10.4 yards-per-play.

Yes, it was playing out just as Johnson needed it to.

“Then,” he said, “we turned it back over, which really hurt us.”

The one turnover that Tech didn’t convert may have been the costliest turn of the game.

With Tech up 17-7, Miami quarterback Stephen Morris and tight end Clive Walford were not speaking the same language, enabling safety Chris Milton to intercept a wildly errant pass. He set up the Jackets near midfield.

Driving to the Miami 22-yard line, the Jackets seemed certain to pad what was becoming a considerable lead. Then quarterback Vad Lee was stripped of the ball, and it was recovered by Canes linebacker Jimmy Gaines.

“That was it,” Lee said, when asked if that was a pivotal moment Saturday. “I just got to hold onto the ball.”

“That was a big turning point,” Jackets defensive end Jeremiah Attaochu said. “You got to take advantage of the opportunities in this game. We won the turnover battle, but you have to take advantage of those opportunities when you play a team like Miami and the great skill players they have. No excuses. You have to take advantage every time you get the ball.”

Still, Tech was no worse than dead even at the half. And to start the third quarter, the Jackets kept it that way after linebacker Quayshawn Nealy intercepted Morris at the Tech 9-yard line.

Miami took its first lead, 24-17, late in the third quarter on another microwave touchdown drive — 79 yards in five plays and a little more than two minutes.

Another huge swing — on an extra point, no less — was forthcoming.

When Miami’s Phillip Dorsett fumbled his diving, stumbling attempt to field a punt early in the fourth quarter, the Jackets had another gift at Miami’s 42. They scored what appeared to be the tying touchdown with 10:38 left to play on David Sims’ second scoring run of the day.

Then, losing their regular long snapper last week to injury finally hurt Tech. Trevor Stroebel’s snap bounced to the holder, who recovered, but not in time to prevent Harrison Butker’s point-after from sailing wide left.

“Never helps when you miss the extra point when you come back to tie the game,” Johnson deadpanned.

Presented that opportunity, the Hurricanes would not let up. They went on consecutive touchdown drives of 66 yards and scored again on a Ladarius Gunter interception and return of a Justin Thomas pass late in the game.

“We did what we wanted to early. They had not be down all year (Miami had not trailed in a game this season until Saturday) and we made them play from behind. We just didn’t finish,” Lee said.