THE FLATS – Georgia Tech drove 48 yards in half a minute to set up a game-winning field goal attempt, but the kick was blocked and the Yellow Jackets dropped a gut-wrenching 14-13 decision to visiting Colorado in Thursday night's season opener at sold-out Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field.
On Georgia Tech's first snap after Colorado took a 14-13 lead with 37 seconds remaining in the ballgame, quarterback Alberto Mendoza hit Dalen Penson for a 42-yard gain that put the Jackets firmly in field goal range for All-American Aidan Birr. Three plays later, Birr took the field for a 45-yard game-winning attempt, but Colorado's Boo Carter came off the right edge to block the kick as time expired and preserve the Buffaloes' one-point win.
The final play capped a wild fourth quarter that saw Georgia Tech block a field goal to preserve a 10-7 lead midway through the period, milk nearly six minutes off the clock while extending its lead to 13-7 on a Birr field goal with 1:40 to go, only for Colorado to take the 14-13 advantage on its touchdown with 37 ticks left on the clock, which set up the heartbreaking final possession for the Jackets.
Making his first collegiate start, Mendoza was an impressive 17-for-23 for 237 yards. His top targets were wide receiver Jordan Allen, who set career highs with eight catches and 113 receiving yards, and Penson, who caught a total of three passes for 73 yards in his first game as a wideout after moving from defensive back in the offseason. Running back Justice Haynes, added 64 rushing yards in his Georgia Tech debut.
Defensively, stalwart linebacker Kyle Efford led the way for the Jackets with a career-high-tying 13 tackles. Defensive end Taje McCoy added 11 tackles in his first appearance as a Yellow Jacket, while safety Savion Riley more than tripled previous high at Tech with 10 stops.
The last play of the game notwithstanding, Georgia Tech also had signature moments on special teams, with fifth-year Rahkeem Smith recording only the fifth 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in school history and 6-foot-9 sophomore Kevin Roche, Jr. blocking Colorado's game-tying field goal attempt in the fourth quarter. Roche also had four receptions for 37 yards.
On the flip side, Georgia Tech managed just 51 rushing yards (its lowest total on the ground since 2022), committed nine penalties and allowed Colorado to convert a total of nine third/fourth downs.
Things don't get any easier for the Yellow Jackets next week, when they host No. 18 Tennessee at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.