For the second consecutive week, Georgia Tech’s run-focused offense couldn’t succeed in short-yardage situations when it needed to in a 38-31 loss to North Carolina on Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
Leading the Tar Heels 28-24 in the fourth quarter, the Yellow Jackets had third and goal at the Tar Heels’ 1-yard line early in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Justin Thomas tried to run up the middle but was stopped for no gain.
Coach Paul Johnson passed on kicking a field goal and lead of a touchdown, opting to go for it on fourth down in what was turning out to be a shoot out. Thomas again tried to run up the middle and was again stopped for no gain, giving the ball to North Carolina. The Jackets were 3-of-3 on fourth downs in the game before that stop.
“It was a quarterback follow, and the offensive line blocked down and the (running) back didn’t hear and didn’t block out,” Johnson said. “Story of our season.”
Offensive lineman Trey Braun said he’s not sure what went wrong on either play, but not being able to get the yard “stings.”
“A lot of things sting in this game but that’s one thing that definitely stings,” he said. “It’s something as an offensive line we have to correct.”
Trailing Duke 26-20 late in the fourth quarter of last week’s loss, the Jackets faced fourth and 1 at the Blue Devils’ 26-yard line. B-back Patrick Skov was stopped for no gain with 4:54 remaining.
North Carolina took over at the 1-yard line but Tech’s defense stopped the Heels on third and 1 at the 10-yard line. North Carolina’s punter shanked his rugby-style kick, giving the Jackets the ball at the 36-yard line.
Thomas fumbled on the next play and North Carolina returned it to Tech’s 37-yard line.
The Heels scored on the next play with a well-executed trick play to take a 31-28 lead with 11:25 left. Quarterback Marquise Williams handed the ball to running back T.J. Logan running left. He pitched it to wide receiver Quinshad Davis, running right back across the formation. Davis stopped and threw to a wide open Williams for a 37-yard touchdown.
Tech’s troubles picking up small batches of yards weren’t over. On its next drive, facing third and 2 on North Carolina’s 38-yard line, A-back Clinton Lynch was stopped for a loss of three yards as he tried to run to the right and around the end. Tech again went for it on fourth down and was again unsuccessful when Thomas’ pass hit the turf.
“Got the toss and saw the linebacker coming right at me,” Lynch said. “I didn’t have anywhere to go.”
North Carolina scored on its next drive to take a 38-28 lead with 4:52 remaining.
“We let it slip away from us on the goal line,” Johnson said.
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