A quarter-by-quarter look at Georgia Tech’s 23-21 loss to Virginia Tech on Thursday at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
First quarter
Big play: On the game's second play from scrimmage, a busted coverage off a play-action fake left wide receiver Ricky Jeune wide open for a career-long 58-yard reception on a second-and-1 from the Georgia Tech 34. B-back Marcus Allen, making his first career start, finished the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run for a 7-0 lead at the 13:11 mark.
Turning point: Yellow Jackets linebacker Tyler Marcordes poked the ball loose from wide receiver Cam Phillips at the end of a 14-yard reception on Virginia Tech's second possession of the game, giving Georgia Tech the ball back on the Virginia Tech 45. Availed of its second possession starting in the opponent's half of the field in the past four games, Tech covered the 45 yards to take a 14-0 lead at the 1:00 mark.
Takeaway: Any emotional edge that Virginia Tech was supposed to have due to coach Frank Beamer's announced retirement was not evident.
Score: Georgia Tech 14, Virginia Tech 0
Second quarter
Big play: On a third-and-5 play from the Virginia Tech 35, the Hokies burned a blitz with a Michael Brewer pass to Phillips, who ran free through the vacated linebacker level for a 45-yard gain to the Jackets 20. The Hokies scored five plays later to cut the lead to 14-7 with 5:56 left in the half.
Turning point: On the ensuing drive, the Jackets went four-and-out, giving the Hokies the ball at their 24 with 3:50 left in the half. Brewer converted two short third downs with a pass play and a sneak to lead a game-tying touchdown drive in the final minutes of the half.
Takeaway: Georgia Tech followed its 130-yard first quarter with 32 in the second and gave up momentum going into halftime. Further, an ankle injury to linebacker P.J. Davis, the Jackets' leading tackler, did not bode well for the final 30 minutes.
Score: Georgia Tech 14, Virginia Tech 14
Third quarter
Big play: On a third-and-10 from the Georgia Tech 25 on the opening possession of the second half, linebacker Brant Mitchell intercepted a Brewer pass and returned it 32 yards for a touchdown and a 21-14 lead one minute into the quarter.
Turning point: On a Virginia Tech third-and-6 from the Georgia Tech 15, linebacker Domonique Noble thwarted Brewer's attempt to scramble for a first down. The Hokies settled for a field goal to cut the lead to 21-17 at the 8:42 mark.
Takeaway: With the Georgia Tech offense gaining 33 yards on nine plays, the Jackets defense did its part, scoring a touchdown, limiting the Hokies to a field goal on a red-zone possession, forcing a three-and-out and limiting the Hokies to a field-goal try that went wide.
Score: Georgia Tech 21, Virginia Tech 17
Fourth quarter
Big play: On a first-and-10 from the Georgia Tech 20, Allen fumbled, giving the Hokies the ball at the Jackets 18. A touchdown and missed point-after try gave the Hokies a 23-21 lead with 6:58 to play.
Turning point: With 57 seconds remaining, right guard Errin Joe was flagged for an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty for shoving defensive back Chuck Clark after a second-and-5 play went for no gain. The play took the Jackets from needing a few yards for a game-winning field-goal try to a spot it couldn't escape.
Takeaway: Georgia Tech won't need to worry about a retirement gift for Beamer. Thursday was enough.
Score: Virginia Tech 23, Georgia Tech 21
