Nov. 12, 2015
| VIRGINIA TECH 23 (5-5, 3-3), GEORGIA TECH 21 (3-7, 1-6) THURSDAY, NOV. 12 ● ATLANTA ● BOBBY DODD STADIUM FINAL STATS | QUOTES | NOTES | PHOTOS | POSTGAME AUDIO |
THE FLATS – Virginia Tech capitalized on a pivotal Georgia Tech turnover late in the fourth quarter Thursday night as the Yellow Jackets suffered a heartbreaking 23-21 loss at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
Georgia Tech (3-7, 1-6) was limited to 258 yards of total offense, while rushing for 161 yards. Marcus Allen led the Jackets on the ground with 75 yards and a touchdown. Justin Thomas added 52 yards on the ground and 97 more through the air.
The Jackets jumped out a 14-0 lead in the first quarter after a pair of four-yard rushing scores from Allen and Clinton Lynch.
Virginia Tech (5-5, 3-3) matched the Jackets’ 14 points in the second quarter as the game was tied at the half.
After the Yellow Jackets fumbled it away on two straight possessions in the fourth quarter, the Hokies (5-5, 3-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) grabbed their first lead on Travon McMillian’s second touchdown, a 4-yard run with 6:58 remaining.
Georgia Tech suffered another tough defeat to its season. The Yellow Jackets have dropped seven of their last eight games and are assured of a losing record, likely ending their own streak of 18 straight bowls.
The night started much better for Georgia Tech, which jumped ahead while many fans were still stuck in Atlanta traffic.
Georgia Tech went ahead on freshman Brant Mitchell’s 32-yard interception return early in the second half, but the Yellow Jackets simply made too many mistakes to hang on.
On the second snap of the game, Thomas stunned the Hokies by connecting with Ricky Jeune on a 58-yard pass. Two plays later, Marcus Allen scored on a 4-yard run, putting the Yellow Jackets up 7-0 less than 2 minutes into the game.
It was 14-0 before the first quarter was done.
After recovering a fumble at the Virginia Tech 45, the Yellow Jackets finished off the short drive with another 4-yard touchdown run, this one by Clinton Lynch.
That was it for the Georgia Tech offense, which managed only 128 yards the rest of the way.
The Hokies went 80 yards in 10 plays, cutting the lead in half on McMillian’s first TD from 2 yards out. Then, getting the ball back with just under 4 minutes left in the half, Virginia Tech drove for a tying score. Michael Brewer hooked up with Isaiah Ford on a 17-yard touchdown pass with 35 seconds remaining.
Virginia Tech got the ball to start the second half, but it was Georgia Tech that reclaimed the lead. On third down from his own 25, Brewer threw a pass right to Mitchell, who took it to the end zone without being touched.
McMillian rushed for 135 yards on 24 carries. Brewer completed 15 of 29 passes for 178 yards.
POSTGAME AUDIO
Freshman LB Brant Mitchell | Head Coach Paul Johnson
