The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets out last the undefeated Miami Hurricanes in a 28-23 victory. This victory gives Georgia Tech the lead in the all-time series between these two schools as they were knotted up at 14 wins apiece against each other.
Georgia tech knew they would be in for a tough battle with Heisman front-runner, Cam Ward, at the helm for the Hurricanes. Coming into this game, Ward was first in the country in touchdowns and second in the country in passing yards. Ward also helps Miami lead the country in total offense (556.9 yards per game) and scoring. They also average roughly 200 rushing yards a game.
Georgia Tech’s game plan was to make the Cane’s offense one-dimensional. That plan was executed perfectly as the Yellow Jacket’s defense held Miami to just 88 yards on the ground.
“Believe in running the ball, stopping the run and time of possession – those types of things,” Coach Brent Key said. “Still works.”
Georgia Tech’s magic number when it comes to rushing yards is 190. In every single Tech win this year, they have had at least 190 rushing yards. They have had 112 or fewer rushing yards in their four losses. Tech needed to dominate the ground.
The Jackets had 189 rushing yards… at halftime.
They more than dominated on the ground, ending the game with 271 rushing yards.
The biggest question mark heading into the game was the availability of Tech’s starting quarterback, Haynes King.
“I decided I was playing,” King said. “I was going to fight through it, no matter what role I was going to play.”
King did split a lot of snaps with freshman quarterback, Aaron Philo. Philo looked fantastic throwing the ball as he made some clutch completions including a 15-yard touchdown throw to Chase Lane.
King showed his determination and his passion in this game. Not being one hundred percent, King ran the ball 20 times for 101 yards.
“Haynes King is special guys…” Coach Key said emotionally. “In a lot of ways. He went out there and willed himself. That’s pretty special in my book.”
This game started with a bang as on the second play, Jamal Haynes busted a 65-yard run to put the Jackets in the red zone. He would also finish the drive with a 16-yard touchdown run.
Miami would eat that punch to the face as on their second play of their first drive, Cam Ward hit Elijah Arroyo on the slant who took it to the house for a 74-yard touchdown to the game, 7-7.
Tech would be unable to answer and were forced to punt after a three and out. Jamal Haynes was hit in the head on a short run and would be out for the rest of the game. Miami seemed to have all the momentum as they were marching downfield. Luckily for the Jackets, some miscommunication with Ward’s receivers allowed a 3rd down stop. Miami settled for a field goal and took a 10-7 lead over Tech towards the end of the first quarter.
Haynes king would run the ball seven times their next drive to put them in position to score. One of King’s six completions in the game went to Malik Rutherford in the endzone to give Georgia Tech a 14-10 lead. That scoring drive took a total of 10 minutes and 45 seconds off the clock.
Tech’s defense would step up in a big way the rest of the half as they forced Miami to punt twice and had a huge stop on a 4th and 2 in their own territory. Tech’s defense started putting pressure on Ward, forcing him to scramble and rush his throws.
Georgia Tech took a 14-10 lead into halftime.
Miami needed to start the second half strong and score. The Yellow Jacket’s defense had other plans, though. After seven straight runs by Miami’s running back, Damien Martinez, they faced a 4th and 1. Tech’s secondary had perfect coverage and forced an incomplete pass and another turnover on downs.
Just like their previous scoring drive, Tech ran the ball down the throat of Miami’s defense and ended the drive with an amazing throw by Aaron Philo to Chase Lane in the endzone to put Tech up 21-10.
Cam Ward found his confidence again and led a quick, dominant drive filled with precise throws and ending with a beautiful back shoulder touchdown pass to Isaiah Horton. Miami went for a 2-point conversion to make it a three-point game, however, Kyle Efford got to Cam Ward and earned a strip sack to deny them two more points.
On their next drive, Georgia Tech faced a long 3rd and 18. So naturally, they put in their freshman quarterback. Philo would deliver a 27-yard strike to Bailey Stockton. Haynes King capped that drive off with an easy five-yard touchdown run, extending Tech’s lead, 28-16.
Cam Ward came out firing the next drive with back-to-back 20-yard completions. Tech’s defense buckled down and created another 4th down for Miami. Thomas Gore and Trenilyas Tatum got back to the Heisman candidate and drug him to the ground forcing their third turnover on downs. The crowd was absolutely electric. Georgia Tech had full control.
Unfortuantely, Tech’s offense couldn’t capitalize and were forced to punt on a three and out.
With another chance to take this game back, Miami needed to score. Cam Ward stepped up when they needed him with an elite drive ending with a spectacular 38-yard touchdown pass to their star receiver, Xavier Restrepo. They were back in the game, 28-23.
The Cane’s desperately needed a stop. They got their chance on a 3rd and one with just over two minutes left in the game. Haynes King kept the ball on an outside run and had the first down if he continued outside. Unfortunately, he ran right into a defender and lost two yards. Miami had a final chance.
On 2nd and ten, Cam Ward dropped back but was met by Romello Height who sacked him and stripped the ball lose. Jordan Van Den Berg fell on top of the ball, securing a Yellow Jackets victory.
Tech’s offense ran a few plays then Haynes King took a knee. The crowd stormed the field, taking down the goal posts in jubilation.
The party on the field ensued as the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets pulled off the upset of the year over the Miami Hurricanes for their bowl game-clinching sixth win of the season.
Georgia Tech football is back.
