A quarter-by-quarter look at Georgia Tech’s 38-21 loss against Miami on Saturday in Miami Gardens, Fla.
First quarter
Big play: After forcing a three-and-out on the opening series of the game, Tech opened its first possession with a 36-yard run by A-back Clinton Lynch off a pitch on a triple-option play. The run set up the Yellow Jackets to take a 7-0 lead at 10:35 in the quarter on a 5-yard touchdown run by A-back Broderick Snoddy.
Turning point: Quarterback Justin Thomas sustained an upper-body injury, apparently at the end of that opening drive. Backup Matthew Jordan came in for the next series and had some success with keepers, but fumbled six times in the game.
Takeaway: Coach Paul Johnson had hoped to give Jordan, a redshirt freshman, some game experience, but this most certainly wasn't how he intended for it to happen. The Jackets' remarkable bad luck with injuries continued.
Score: Tech 7, Miami 7
Second quarter
Big play: Jordan drove the Jackets from their 41-yard line to the Miami 4, but had the ball knocked loose on a second-and-goal play, resulting in a turnover. The Jackets' first turnover of the season in 33 red-zone possessions cost them a chance to take a 14-7 lead early in the quarter. Boosted by pass plays of 42 and 46 yards, Miami went 97 yards in only six plays to go up 14-7. It was the longest touchdown drive against Tech since 2011.
Turning point: On the Jackets' next possession, their fourth fumble of the half began to seal their fate. B-back Patrick Skov, making his first start since the sixth game, ran six yards to pick up an apparent first down near midfield, but had the ball stripped while held up in a pile. Defensive end Ufomba Kamalu picked up the ball and ran 45 yards before fumbling the ball into the end zone, where linebacker Jermaine Grace recovered for a touchdown and a 21-7 lead with 6:18 to play in the half.
Takeaway: One of the most decisive quarters of the season — with the aid of a defensive touchdown, Miami scored 17 points in 14 offensive plays — probably put the game out of reach.
Score: Miami 24, Tech 7
Third quarter
Big play: With the score 24-7 in Miami's favor, Johnson called a gadget play on the first play of Tech's second possession of the half. Just after a downpour began, wide receiver Brad Stewart threw off an end around, but couldn't get enough on the pass to a wide-open Ricky Jeune and was intercepted, the Jackets' fourth turnover.
Turning point: On the ensuing possession, running back Mark Walton caught a pass in the flat and ran through five tackle attempts and eluded another on his way to a 25-yard touchdown reception and a 31-7 lead with 7:13 left in the quarter.
Takeaway: The Tech defense was again intermittently effective, forcing two punts on three possessions and averaging 4.8 yards per play on 12 of the 13 plays. The 13th was the Walton touchdown.
Score: Miami 31, Tech 7
Fourth quarter
Big play: After the defense forced a three-and-out following a lightning delay, Jordan finished a 68-yard touchdown drive with a 3-yard scoring run to cut the lead to 31-14 with 10:05 to play.
Turning point: On the next series, Miami took back control, leveraging a 46-yard pass on a 75-yard touchdown drive that returned the margin to 24 points at 38-14.
Takeaway: A 97-yard touchdown drive surrendered and nine fumbles in a 17-point loss to a team playing with an interim coach — it almost defies belief that Tech won the Orange Bowl on the same field less than 11 months ago.
Score: Miami 38, Tech 14
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