On a cold and gray afternoon, Georgia Tech’s 2013 season came to a meek end.
Hoping to win a second consecutive bowl game, the Yellow Jackets were defeated at the Music City Bowl by Ole Miss, 25-17. After driving for a touchdown on their first drive of the game, the Jackets were shut down for most of the remainder of the afternoon.
After the initial score, Tech drove for a field goal and scored on a 72-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Vad Lee to Darren Waller, but were contained otherwise.
Ole Miss used advantageous field position for two of its three touchdowns. Ole Miss needed just 38 yards for one touchdown and 44 for the other, the latter of which gave the Rebels a 20-7 third-quarter lead. A field goal with three minutes remaining in the third extended the lead to 23-7 and began to finish off the Jackets.
Tech rallied with a 38-yard field goal and then the touchdown to Waller, which followed an interception by D.J. White, to bring the score to 23-17. Tech had two possessions to take the lead, but punted on the first possession. The Jackets received another life when Adam Gotsis blocked a 32-yard field-goal try with 4:36 to go, giving them the ball back at their 20. But on the first play, wide receiver Corey Dennis fumbled on a botched end-around that appeared like he would throw the ball, resulting in a safety and a 25-17 lead for Ole Miss.
After kicking the ball away, Tech appeared to have another chance when Brandon Watts sacked quarterback Bo Wallace on third down with about 2 ½ minutes remaining near midfield. But Ole Miss was called for delay of game and then converted the ensuing 3rd-and-13. The Rebels drained the clock down to 47 seconds before punting away.
On Tech’s first play from scrimmage with 37 seconds remaining, quarterback Vad Lee threw an interception to end the Jackets’ final chance.
Tech ends the season 7-6. Ole Miss finishes 8-5.