In a game that featured as many mistakes as big plays, Georgia Tech put an end to Virginia Tech’s rule over the series with a 27-24 win over the Hokies Saturday at Lane Stadium.
The Yellow Jackets ended a four-game losing streak to the Hokies and won for the first time in Blacksburg after three defeats in 2008, 2010 and 2012. Kicker Harrison Butker, who had missed in the third quarter from 30 yards, made the game-winner from 24 yards out as time expired.
Following the Jackets’ 42-38 win over Georgia Southern last Saturday, it was the second consecutive Saturday that Tech came from behind to win on its final possession.
Lane Stadium, the site of many Jackets horrors in recent years, was nearly the Jackets’ ruin once again. However, Georgia Tech (4-0 overall, 1-0 ACC) saved itself with back-to-back scoring drives in the final 5:21 that rallied the Jackets from a 24-17 deficit.
First, Georgia Tech went on a 67-yard touchdown drive that tied the game at 24 with 2:03 remaining. Quarterback Justin Thomas, two plays after converting a 4th-and-15 to wide receiver DeAndre Smelter with a 19-yard completion, found Smelter again for a 31-yard touchdown pass against blitz pressure.
After cornerback D.J. White intercepted Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Brewer on the first play of the next drive, the Jackets pushed their way from the Hokies’ 40-yard line inside the 10-yard line, setting up Butker’s kick.
Virginia Tech falls to 2-2 and 0-1 in the ACC.
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