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.