Nov. 02, 2013
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ATLANTA (AP) – Robert Godhigh ran for two touchdowns, Georgia Tech’s defense recorded a season-high five sacks and the Yellow Jackets beat Pittsburgh 21-10 on Saturday night.
Georgia Tech (6-3, 5-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) had constant pressure on Pitt quarterback Tom Savage. Jeremiah Attaochu had two sacks and Jabari Hunt-Days had a sack and three tackles for losses in the Yellow Jackets’ third straight win.
Pitt (4-4, 2-3 ACC) was held without a first down in the first quarter and managed only 55 total yards in the first half. Savage threw a 12-yard scoring pass to Tyler Boyd on the Panthers’ first possession of the second half, cutting Georgia Tech’s lead to 14-10.
Vad Lee’s 42-yard pass to DeAndre Smelter set up Godhigh’s second touchdown run, from 11 yards, with less than 3 minutes remaining.
David Sims had a touchdown run for Georgia Tech.
Lee completed 5 of 10 passes for 84 yards – with exactly half of the production coming on the late pass to Smelter. Lee had 17 carries for 44 yards.
Savage led Pitt on a final long drive after Godhigh’s second scoring run. Savage’s final pass was intercepted by safety Jemea Thomas at the Georgia Tech 4 with 33 seconds remaining.
Savage completed 25 of 37 passes for 233 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The senior completed each of his four passes on the Panthers’ lone touchdown drive.
The Panthers were held to minus-5 yards rushing on 21 carries.
Pitt defensive tackle Aaron Donald had 11 tackles, one sack and forced two fumbles.
Sims had 18 carries for 94 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, but lost two fumbles. Godhigh had six carries for 89 yards, including a 35-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
Pitt netted only 1 yard on its first three possessions as Georgia Tech’s defense produced a series of tackles for losses on third downs.
Attaochu’s first sack of Savage ended the Panthers’ first possession on three downs. Hunt-Days tackled running back James Conner for a loss of three yards on Pitt’s second series.
On Pitt’s third series of plays, Attaochu again broke through the line to hit Savage just as the quarterback was trying to unleash a third-and-8 pass. The wobbly short pass was caught by center Artie Rowell. Georgia Tech declined the ineligible receiver penalty.
Chris Blewitt kicked a 44-yard field goal in the second quarter for Pitt.
The teams were playing for the first time since 1976.
