The state of Georgia is always ready for some clean, old-fashioned hate between the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the Georgia Bulldogs. For the past five years, the Bulldogs have seemed more prepared, as the last time the Yellow Jackets claimed a victory in this long rivalry was in 2016 when Harrison Butker nailed a 53-yard field goal to win the game. Ultimately, Georgia came out on top again this time around. However, Georgia Tech put up a valiant effort as it was only a one-possession game at the end, 31-23.
The past five meetings have been complete blowouts for Georgia. They have not been competitive outside of the Yellow Jackets, having a 7-3 lead after the first quarter of last season’s game.
“For rivalries to be rivalries, they have to be competitive football games,” Coach Brent Key said heading into this game.
Obviously, this game had to be different in the eyes of Coach Key, and it definitely felt that way.
Georgia Tech came into this game fired up after clinching their first bowl game since 2018 last week when they defeated Syracuse 31-22. This was the best offense the Jackets have brought to this rivalry in quite some time. In the ACC, they are 5th in yards per game, 2nd in rushing yards per game, and 6th in passing yards per game. This was also by far the best defense Tech had played all season. Coming into the game, Georgia was 2nd in the SEC in yards allowed, 1st in passing yards allowed, 3rd in rushing yards allowed, and 1st in points per game allowed.
Georgia Tech had to come up with a strong run game. That would be their only shot, as Georgia’s defense has given up a couple of big rushing games to teams like Auburn, who had over 200 yards rushing, and Missouri, who had over 150 yards rushing. Haynes King, the quarterback, also had to keep the turnovers to an absolute minimum. That is what killed them against Boston College.
The game started grim for the Yellow Jackets as a big completion to Malakai Starks got called back because he ran out of bounds, and they faced a three and out on their first drive. The defense, needing to make big-time plays to have a chance, made one of those plays on Georgia’s first touch. Georgia Tech defensive back Kenan Johnson recovered a fumble from Georgia’s running back, Daijun Edwards. The Yellow Jackets took full advantage of the excellent field position as Haynes King scored a touchdown on a 9-yard carry, giving them the first lead of the game.
Georgia Tech’s defense thought they had another huge play as a throw by Carson Beck was tipped around and intercepted by LaMiles Brooks. However, replay would show that the ball hit the ground, ruling it an incomplete pass. Of course, the next play would be a 29-yard touchdown pass to Dominic Lovett to tie the game up at 7 a piece.
Tech would come back with a very impressive drive with a combination of runs and passes. Georgia would stop them on 3rd and short to hold Georgia Tech to a 25-yard field goal by Aidan Birr. Much like the game from last year, Georgia Tech had the lead after the first quarter of play.
The Yellow Jackets had the Bulldogs at 3rd and 11, but Beck found a wide-open Daijun Edwards in the flat for a gain of 26. That proved costly as Georgia took the lead on a 3-yard touchdown run by Kendall Milton.
Brent Key would show his fight by going for it on 4th and 1 in their territory. That risky decision was a good one as it led Tech to another solid drive where they could not find the end zone and had to settle for three again.
Once again, the Bulldogs faced a long 3rd down but picked it up with a 12-yard run by Milton. That same story would repeat as Georgia cashed in another touchdown with a 3-yard run by Edwards. Georgia would lead at the half, 21-13.
Both offenses came out stale, as they were forced to punt on their first-half possessions. On their 2nd drive of the half, the Bulldogs decided to run the ball down the Yellow Jackets’ throats. On back-to-back plays, Milton had a 19-yard run and then a 17-yard run to get into Georgia Tech territory. Luckily, Tech’s defense stepped up and held them to a field goal to extend their lead to 24-13.
The game started to go downhill for the Jackets on their next drive. On a 4th down, a tipped ball at the line of scrimmage took back a pass interference call on Georgia that would have given Georgia Tech a first down. Georgia immediately scored another touchdown, jumping up 31-13.
The 4th quarter for Tech started with a drive like many others in the game. They had an impressive drive, highlighted by a 53-yard catch by Eric Singleton, that could only end with 3 points on the board.
Georgia would almost immediately be back in scoring position, and just when it felt like they were going to slam the door shut, boom, another big play from the Georgia Tech defense! KJ Wallace intercepted a throw by Carson Beck in the end zone.
The Yellow Jackets needed a touchdown drive to stay alive, and that is what they did. Haynes King led an incredible drive, scoring the 5-yard touchdown run. It was only a one-possession game, so the Yellow Jackets decided to be aggressive and go for the onside kick. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs recovered the kick. Beck picked up a first down and ran the clock out. Georgia wins, 31-23.
This game came down to two things: touchdowns and field goals. Both teams scored five times. Georgia found the end zone four out of those five times, while Georgia Tech only managed to find the end zone twice. The Yellow Jackets continuously moved the ball on Georgia but could not punch it in for six. Both teams had similar stats across the board. It is hard to win when you kick field goals and the other team scores touchdowns.
This was the 117th meeting between these rivals. Georgia now leads the rivalry 71-41-5. Football teams do not like moral victories, but Georgia Tech put up an incredible fight against the number one team in the nation. Outside of some overly optimistic Yellow Jacket fans, no one gave this team a shot in this game, and they almost pulled it off. Putting up 200 yards on the ground against one of the best defenses in the country is outstanding. Holding Carson Beck to 175 yards passing is impressive. This team has been impressive.
“Just from this game, y’all can tell, the way we fought, we have an identity,” running back Jamal Haynes said. “We have an identity, and we’re definitely gonna keep coming.”
In his first full season as head coach for Georgia Tech, Brent Key has this team fired up. He has already led them to a bowl game. The fans should be fired up. The school should be fired up. The city of Atlanta should be fired up for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
