THE FLATS – Jordan Yates set a Georgia Tech record with four touchdown passes in his first-career start, while the Yellow Jackets’ defense limited the option offense of Kennesaw State to 272 yards in a 45-17 victory on Saturday afternoon at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
Tech, which built a 35-point lead and gave up just a field goal through three-and-a-half quarters, evened its record at 1-1, while the Owls dropped to 1-1.
Yates, who completed 17-of-23 passes for 254 yards, became the first Yellow Jacket to ever throw for four touchdowns in the first start of his collegiate career. His four TD passes also tied for the third-most ever in Georgia Tech history, just one shy of the single-game school record shared by Eddie McAshan (1972 vs. Rice) and Joe Hamilton (1999 vs. Clemson).
The Yellow Jackets seized the momentum early, stopping the Owls on their first possession before Yates drove the offense 81 yards on eight plays for a touchdown, tossing a 6-yard pass to Jordan Mason for the touchdown and a 7-0 lead. The Owls moved the ball to the Tech 22 on their next possession, but Jordan Domineck forced a fumble on a pitch Owls’ quarterback Xavier Shepherd, recovered the ball and took it back 70 yards for a touchdown and a 14-0 Jackets’ lead. On the 70-yard scoop-and-score, Domineck delivered a vicious stiff arm to fend off an attempted tackle by Shepherd, then followed a bevy of blockers into the end zone for the score.
The teams traded field goals in the second period, with Brett Cimaglia hitting from 31 yards out for the Jackets, before Tech extended its lead to 24-3 on a 4-yard toss from Yates to Kyric McGowan, capping a 46-yard drive at the 3:13 mark.
Tech took the third quarter kickoff and went 80 yards on just six plays for another touchdown, with Yates connecting with Kalani Norris for the final 16 yards and a 31-3 lead. Tech capitalized on the second of two interceptions by Charlie Thomas to score again early in the fourth period, with Yates hitting McGowan again for a 39-yard TD to give the Jackets their largest lead at 38-3.
The Owls rallied to score twice in the fourth quarter, getting nearly half of its total offense for the game on those two possessions and cutting the Jackets’ lead to 38-17. But Dontae Smith scored the Jackets’ final touchdown from 10 yards out with 6:53 to go to account for the final margin. Smith finished the game as Tech’s leading rusher with 82 yards on just eight carries.
McGowan caught six passes for 91 yards, including the two touchdowns, to lead the Jackets’ receivers.
In addition to Domineck’s scoop-and-score and Thomas’ two interceptions, Tech was led defensively by linebackers Ayinde Eley and Quez Jackson, who shared the game-high with 10 tackles apiece.
The Yellow Jackets go on the road for the first time next Saturday when they visit Clemson in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener for both teams. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. and will be televised nationally on either ABC or ESPN.