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Turnovers Doom Tech in Loss to Miami

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Final Stats Postgame Notes Multimedia Photo Gallery

THE FLATS – For the first time all season, Georgia Tech football lost the turnover battle, and its four interceptions proved too costly to overcome in a 35-14 loss to Miami (Fla.) on Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium.

Georgia Tech’s first two interceptions stalled promising drives and the second two led directly to Miami touchdowns, which saw the Yellow Jackets’ deficit swell from 14-7 nearly halfway through the fourth quarter to 35-7 with 2:36 to go in the ballgame.

After a slow start in which Miami jumped out to an early 216-82 yardage advantage and a 14-0 lead, Tech’s offense came alive on a 15-play, 99-yard touchdown drive late in the second quarter. The scoring drive was capped by a 9-yard touchdown pass from Zach Pyron to Nate McCollum that cut the Yellow Jackets’ deficit to 14-7 at halftime.

The Jackets seemed poised to pull even late in the third quarter, but Pyron was picked off in Miami territory for the second time in the game to end the scoring threat. Making matters worse, Pyron, who was making his second-career start in place of injured starter Jeff Sims, was injured on the play and forced to leave the game.

With Sims available only in an emergency situation, Zach Gibson took over in the fourth quarter. He was intercepted twice and the Jackets turned the ball over on downs in his first three series and Miami scored on each of its three ensuing possessions, including a 99-yard interception return, turning what was a one-score game with under eight minutes to go into the commanding 35-7 Miami lead.

Gibson led Tech on a 13-play, 71-yard touchdown drive in the final minutes, capped by a 7-yard touchdown pass to true freshman running back Jamie Felix that accounted for the final 35-14 margin.

Tech outgained Miami, 363-353, but was undone by the minus-four turnover margin. The Yellow Jackets entered the game ranked No. 2 nationally at plus-15 in the turnover column.

McCollum continued to make a strong push for all-conference consideration, as he matched a career-high with eight receptions and went over the century mark for the third time in the last five games with 101 receiving yards.

Playing their last home games as Yellow Jackets, All-America candidate linebackers Ayinde Eley and Charlie Thomas led all tacklers with 12 and 11 stops, respectively.

Georgia Tech (4-6, 3-4 ACC) looks to finish with a .500 record in ACC play next Saturday when it visits No. 15 North Carolina. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. and the game will be televised nationally on ESPN2.

Nate McCollum (8 – above) hauled in eight receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown, including this game-long 42-yard catch. (photo: Danny Karnik)

 

Postgame Notes

Team Notes

  • Georgia Tech fell to 4-6 overall and 3-4 in Atlantic Coast Conference play.
  • Georgia Tech fell to 13-14 all-time against Miami (Fla.).
  • Georgia Tech lost to Miami for the second-straight year after winning the previous two matchups in 2018 and 2019.
  • Georgia Tech’s 15-play, 99-yard touchdown drive in the second quarter was the sixth 99-yard drive in program history and the first since Sept. 15, 2018 at Pitt.
  • Georgia Tech, which came into the game ranked No. 2 nationally in turnover margin (plus-15), lost the turnover battle for the first time this season.
  • Georgia Tech, which came into the game ranked No. 3 nationally with 22 forced turnovers, did not force a turnover for the first time this season.
  • Georgia Tech, which came into the game ranked No. 7 nationally with seven turnovers lost, had a season-high four turnovers (prev.: 2 – Sept. 24 at UCF and Oct. 20 vs. Virginia).
  • Georgia Tech outgained Miami, 363-353.
  • Georgia Tech’s average starting field position was its own 20 yard line, while Miami’s was its 32 yard line.

Individual Notes

  • WR Nate McCollum matched his career high with eight receptions (prev.: 8 vs. Duke – Oct. 8). He finished with 101 receiving yards, two shy of his career high (103 at Virginia Tech – last Saturday).
  • r-Sr. LB Ayinde Eley had double-digit tackles (12) for the sixth time this season and the 10th time in 21 games as a Yellow Jacket.
  • LB Charlie Thomas had double-digit tackles (11) for the fifth time this season and seventh time in his career (all in the last 17 games).
  • QB Zach Pyron made his second-straight start (and second start of his career) in place of injured starter Jeff Sims (So.).
  • r-Fr. WR Leo Blackburn made his first-career start.
  • RB Jamie Felix recorded his first career touchdown in the fourth quarter, receiving a 7-yard touchdown pass from r-So. QB Zach Gibson.
  • The touchdown pass was Gibson’s first as a Yellow Jacket.
Ayinde Eley (2 – above) led all defensive players by recording 12 tackles (six solo) on Saturday afternoon. (photo: Danny Karnik)

 

Multimedia

Coach Key Postgame Press Conference (Video)

Coach Key Postgame Press Conference (Audio)

Student-Athletes Postgame Press Conference

Game Highlights (ACC Digital Network)

Condensed Game (ACC Digital Network)

Around Social Media

Competitive Drive Initiative

In a unified endeavor, Georgia Tech, the Georgia Tech Foundation, Georgia Tech athletics and the Alexander-Tharpe Fund have come together to accelerate funding for student-athlete scholarships with the launch of the Competitive Drive Initiative. The initiative kicks off with the Accelerate GT Match Program, where any new gift to the A-T Fund’s Athletic Scholarship Fund made through Dec. 31 will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Georgia Tech Foundation, up to $2.5 million. Should Accelerate GT reach its $2.5 million fundraising goal, the matching gift would result in a $5 million impact for Georgia Tech athletics. To learn more and to contribute online, visit atfund.org/accelerate.

For the latest information on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, follow us on Twitter (@GTAthletics), Facebook, Instagram or visit us at www.ramblinwreck.com.

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