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We knew these two teams would give us one to remember re-kindling their combative flames in their annual matchup.
Virginia Tech Hokies (7-2, 3-3 ACC) would strike first driving early and stalling at the 24 yard line. A field goal would put them up 3-0. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 5-4, 4-3 ACC) answered on a long drive highlighted by Nathan Cottrell’s 69-yard run. Quarterback TaQuon Marshall capped the drive with a three-yard run.
Early in the second quarter, the ACC’s top rushing attack continued to roll. The Yellow Jackets went on an 11-play 79-yard drive capped by Marshall’s one-yard touchdown run. Georgia Tech ran it on every play in that scoring drive.
The Hokies answered back before halftime. Travon McMillan returned the kickoff 70 yards, then a pass interference call put Virginia Tech at the 14-yard line. Sean Savoy went right, broke a couple tackles, reversed skate left and scored on a dazzling 14-yard run to make to bring the Hokies a bit closer 14-9 (missed extra point).
In the third quarter, Georgia Tech wasted no time adding to their lead. Marshall stepped back and launched a 61-yard touchdown bomb to wide reciever Brad Stewart making the score 21-9.
As they went back and forth until the end of the third quarter, Virginia Tech would flex their passing muscle by going on a 12 play 74-yard drive, finished off by Jalen Holts eight-yard touchdown run. Georgia Tech took over and their drive would end up with a 4th and one at the 49 yard line. The Hokies stuffed Kirvonte Benson’s run up the middle and took over on downs early in the fourth but couldn’t capitalize on the turnover.
The Yellow Jackets would get the ball back deep in their own territory. Georgia Tech would one again turn the ball over. An errant pass from Marshall was picked off by cornerback Greg Stroman who ran it back 24 yards for the score. After a failed two point conversion, Virginia Tech led 22-21.
Marshall would come back on the very next drive and throw an 80 yard touchdown strike to Ricky Juene for go ahead for good 28-22.
The Hokies drove down to the Yellow Jackets 32-yard line on the ensuing possession. Georgia Tech’s defense came up big by stopping them on a 4th and one.
Game Notes:
The Yellow Jackets failed to record a completed pass (Marshall 0-3) in the first half. They proceeded to hit on two of its biggest pass plays this season in the second half.
The 61-yard touchdown catch by Brad Stewart was his first touchdown this season.
The 80-yard pass from Marshall to Ricky Juene is the longest pass play of the season.
Georgia Tech is on an eight-game home win steak their longest since a stretch from 1998-2000.
This marks the first time Virginia Tech has dropped two straight games to the Yellow Jackets since joining the ACC (2004).
