Georgia Tech lost another game that was within its grasp, this time losing 26-17 to Virginia Tech on Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Coach Geoff Collins’ team fell to 3-5 and 2-4 in the ACC in losing to a Hokies team that had lost three in a row.
Key play
Early in the fourth quarter, Georgia Tech faced a fourth-and-2 from the Virginia Tech 12-yard line trailing 23-17. Collins said that the coaching staff decided at halftime that it would go for it on any fourth down of four yards or fewer for the remainder of the game. In this situation, Collins said, he was going for the lead and the win. On the play, quarterback Jeff Sims handed off to running back Jordan Mason, who was stopped short of the first-down marker on a run up the middle. The Hokies then drove for a field goal and a 26-17 lead with 4:21 left, a deficit too deep for the Jackets.
Key stat
Virginia Tech was 9-for-18 on third downs while Georgia Tech was 3-for-12, in no small part because the Hokies had 11 third downs needing four yards or fewer (of which they made seven) while the Jackets had only four such third downs (making two). Georgia Tech actually was more efficient from a yards-per-play perspective (6.5 to 6.3). However, its inability to convert third downs (or get into third-and-short) and likewise the Hokies’ proficiency for getting into and making third-and-short plays was difference-making.
Key quote
“I’m really tired. We’ve just been fishing for answers, like, What’s going on with this? What’s going on with this? At the end of the day, you have to win your one-on-ones and you have to make plays. You’re not going to win a game if you don’t make enough plays because the team on the other side is going to have players who are probably going to make that play that you didn’t make.” – Georgia Tech linebacker Quez Jackson, who had a career-high 16 tackles Saturday
Key player
Hokies wide receiver Tre Turner caught seven passes for 187 yards, including receptions of 69 and 61 yards, the former for a touchdown. Georgia Tech has allowed five receivers to record 100-yard receiving games in its past four games.
What we learned
The Jackets seem to be unable to avoid critical mistakes or come through with game-winning plays. On Saturday, it was pass-coverage busts and critical penalties that short-circuited their attempts to beat the Hokies, who were a 4-point underdog to Georgia Tech and have had their own habit of lapses in losing three games by one possession.
What’s next?
Georgia Tech will go on the road for an ACC Coastal matchup with Miami on Saturday. The Hurricanes scored one of the upsets of the day Saturday, defeating No. 17 Pittsburgh 38-34 on the road to even their record at 4-4.
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