Coming off a dominant win over an undefeated conference opponent, Duke, Georgia Tech hopes to excel in an even more formidable challenge against No. 12-ranked Notre Dame.
The Yellow Jacket defense came out strong, forcing a three-and-out on the first drive. Notre Dame’s defense was also sharp at the start of the game, and it got an early stop.
The fighting Irish offense would find its groove by executing two chunk plays to start their next drive, led by a 19-yard rush from Jadarian Price.
Their success would grind to a halt as Riley Leonard’s deep ball down the middle would be picked off by Warren Burrell and returned for 27 yards. That momentum would carry over to the other side of the ball.
Tech’s star receiver, Malik Rutherford, got it going early with back-to-back receptions, resulting in 26 yards. Tech was surprisingly successful in the air attack. Backup QB Zach Pyron, filling in for an injured Haynes King, stepped up to the plate with an impressive 9-9 start. Jamal Haynes would eventually punch it in to cap off Tech’s first scoring drive.
Notre Dame successfully started the 2nd quarter, moving the ball downfield with well-executed runs and throws from Riley Leonard. He eventually muscled in for their first score on a 1-yard QB keep. The fighting Irish responded well to Tech’s scoring drive with an impressive 75-yard drive to tie it up at 7-7 midway through the second quarter.
After forcing a three and out, Notre Dame would keep it rolling with a 25-yard pass up the middle for Jeremiyah Love, followed by a 14-yard screen pass to Kris Mitchell. Riley Leonard began to find his groove, slicing up the defense and completing ten straight passes after throwing an interception in the first quarter.
He would later score on a 13-yard QB scramble to cap off a second straight scoring drive. To start the 2-minute drill, Tech QB Zach Pyron utilized his running ability with 4 rushes followed by a 25-yard strike to Avery Boyd to get them in Irish territory. It would all be for nothing, as their field goal attempt got blocked to end the half. Notre Dame would go into the locker room with a 14-7 lead.
Notre Dame’s defense came rolling, forcing a three-and-out to start the second half. Riley Leonard began their drive, firing off a laser deep right to Jaden Greathouse for 28 yards, followed by a 15-yard slant pass to Beaux Collins to place them on the one-yard line. Jeremiyah Love eventually punched it in to put the Irish up 21-7.
Georgia Tech would try to get rolling as Zach Pyron completed a crucial third down, scrambling right for a 13-yard pass to Eric Singlton Jr. They would eventually have to punt again as their scoring drought continued.
Tech came out their next drive scorching hot by launching a 60-yard missile deep middle from Zach Pyron to Abdul Janneh. After a couple of stuffed runs, Tech’s field goal attempt was blocked a second time. Georgia Tech’s offense seemingly couldn’t catch a break as their scoring drought continued.
The Fighting Irish defense continued dominating as Xavier Watts intercepted Zach Pyron’s pass on the next Tech drive. Notre Dame would start to impose their will in the run game, slicing up the right side with a 19-yard gain from Jadarian Price. Tech’s defense would ultimately hold up, getting a much-needed stop in the red zone, forcing a Notre Dame field goal to put the score at 24-7.
Zach Pyron would try to give this struggling Yellow Jacket offense a spark with a crucial 20-yard run on third down, but it wasn’t enough, as they were forced to punt again.
The fighting Irish poured salt on Georgia Tech’s wound as Zach Pyron’s pass was picked off by Adon Shuler and returned for thirty-six yards to complete a pick-6.
The Yellow Jackets eventually drove down the field for a garbage-time touchdown, which was too late.
Notre Dame’s defense dominated this game, limiting Georgia Tech to one score in three quarters. “We did not play good enough to win,” said Georgia Tech coach Brent Key. “We do not deserve to win when we play that way.”. The Fighting Irish held Tech to just 2.2 yards per carry and a passing completion percentage of 52% as they posted a dominant 31-13 victory over a tough Georgia Tech team.
