A quarter-by-quarter look at Georgia Tech’s 38-31 loss against North Carolina on Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
FIRST QUARTER
Big play: Tech quarterback Justin Thomas finished the opening drive of the game, operated largely in no-huddle fashion, with a 1-yard keeper for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead. The Yellow Jackets offense was in need of a strong start after its ineffective play in the past two weeks.
Turning point: A holding penalty on North Carolina center Lucas Crowley wiped out a first-down scramble by quarterback Marquise Williams and ultimately led to a punt on the Tar Heels' first possession. Tech followed with a drive that lasted 7:40 and put the Jackets up 14-0.
Takeaway: Using a no-huddle approach to give coach Paul Johnson the chance to make checks from the sideline, Tech blocked more effectively, gained a rhythm and looked its best since the Tulane game.
Tech 7, North Carolina 0
SECOND QUARTER
Big play: Early in the quarter, Tech defensive tackle Adam Gotsis was penalized for a targeting hit on Williams, resulting in the disqualification of the Jackets' captain and All-ACC performer. The Tar Heels moved the ball more effectively after his departure for the rest of the quarter, twice reaching the end zone.
Turning point: With about a minute to play, punter Ryan Rodwell mishandled a punt snap deep in the Tech end. He was able to get a punt off, but it reached only the Tech 44. The Tar Heels needed only 52 seconds to close the score to 21-14.
Takeaway: The shape of the game changed in the final 1:29. The Jackets went three-and-out and messed up their punt try, giving the Tar Heels a short field to close the score to 21-14 going into halftime.
Tech 21, North Carolina 14
THIRD QUARTER
Big play: Playing in his first career game, A-back Mikell Lands-Davis' first career catch was a big one, a 19-yard touchdown reception from Thomas on a second-and-1 at the 10:45 mark. It answered North Carolina's field goal and put the Jackets ahead again by two scores, 28-17.
Turning point: On the following series, Williams converted a third-and-8 with a 12-yard run to avoid a three-and-out. Williams then drove the Tar Heels the rest of the way, adding another 25-yard run, to cut the lead to 28-24.
Takeaway: In a game of big plays, small ones were making their impact, as well. Tech cornerback D.J. White jumped a pass route at the Tech goal line, but dropped what looked like could have been a touchdown for the Jackets. UNC running back Elijah Hood scored on the next play to cut the lead to 28-24.
Tech 28, North Carolina 24
FOURTH QUARTER
Big play: On a gadget play, Williams caught a 37-yard pass from wide receiver Quinshad Davis, his third career touchdown reception, to take a 31-28 lead, with 11:25 left in the fourth quarter, the Tar Heels' first lead of the game.
Turning point: On a third-and-2 on the ensuing drive, A-back Clinton Lynch was dropped for a 3-yard loss, at which point Tech failed to convert the fourth-and-5 to give the ball back to UNC with 6:50 to play. Williams scored on a fourth-and-5 from the Tech 27-yard line for a 38-28 lead with 4:52 to play.
Takeaway: A 21-0 lead was washed away by a baby-blue torrent. After punting on their first two possessions, the Tar Heels scored 38 points in their next seven possessions, untenable play by a Tech defense that had showed improvement in the first four games.
North Carolina 38, Tech 31
— KEN SUGIURA
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