Georgia Tech Becomes Bowl Eligible After Upset Against No. 4 Ranked Miami

The Flats –  With the No. 4 ranked Miami Hurricanes coming into Bobby Dodd stadium to take on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, were looking to become Bowl eligible. By the time the game was over the atmosphere was downright insane.

The Yellow Jackets upset the Miami Hurricanes by a final score of 28-23. Last year, the Yellow Jackets were able to come up with the improbable upset over the Hurricanes, but this victory has a much bigger feel to it.

 

Overview
Haynes King started at quarterback for the Yellow Jackets after missing two games to a shoulder injury. Still not able to use his arm affectively due to still nursing his shoulder, King was able to use his legs as he ran 20 times for 93 yards and a touchdown while completing all six of his passes for 32 yards.

His gutsy performance seemed to spark the team as the entire team mirrored his energy against the Canes. Head coach Brent Keys didn’t know how much and what King was capable of before the start of the game.

“Haynes King is special guys, in a lot of ways,” Keys stated. “We didn’t know if he was going to play yesterday. He went on to will himself. He’s pretty special in my book.”

Freshman quarterback Aaron Philo, who came in to spell him mostly on passing downs, made crucial throws including converting on a third-and-18 by connecting with Bailey Stockton for a 27-yard play that lead to the clinching touchdown.

Defensively, Tech was able to get timely stops when needed. Although Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback, Cam Ward, completed 25-39 for 348 yards and three touchdowns, the Yellow Jackets were still able to sack him three times, including the game winning sack that caused the fumble by defensive lineman Romello Height.

 

Positives
Tech finished with 271 rushing yards on 48 carries. They got the running game going early with 85 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown on the first drive of the game.

This helped them control the time of possession, 34:45 to Miami’s 25:15, which kept Ward off the field.

The defense was able to get off of the field on third down situations. Miami finished the game 3-10 on third down and 1-4 on fourth down.

Mostly through the game when a Miami wide receiver made a catch, a Yellow Jackets defender was right there to give a big hit. Their reaction speed to the ball was nothing short of spectacular. They weren’t racking up huge chunks of yards outside of their first play from scrimmage.

 

Negatives

The Yellow Jackets continue to give up large chunks of pass plays across the middle of the field. They allowed a 74-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Arroyo on their first play on defense.

 

Tech Notes

With the victory, the Yellow Jackets have become bowl eligible for the second year in a row.

Georgia Tech’s next game is Thursday November 21st against North Carolina State at The Flats.