Tech Falls in Season-Opener to Colorado, 14-13Tech Falls in Season-Opener to Colorado, 14-13
Danny Karnik
Football

Tech Falls in Season-Opener to Colorado, 14-13

Georgia Tech returns to action next Saturday against Tennessee

THE FLATS –

 

 

(Danny Karnik photo)(Danny Karnik photo)

Postgame Notes

Team Notes

  • Georgia Tech opened the season 0-1 for the first time since 2023.
  • Georgia Tech moved to 91-39-4 all-time in season openers (.690).
  • Georgia Tech moved to 18-9 in season openers since 2000 (.667).
  • Georgia Tech dropped its first home-opening game at Bobby Dodd Stadium since 2021.
  • Georgia Tech evened its record to 1-1 against Colorado.
  • Georgia Tech has dropped consecutive games at Bobby Dodd Stadium for the first time since losses to Bowling Green and Boston College in 2023.
  • The sellout crowd of 52,113 was Georgia Tech’s third-straight sellout at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field, matching its longest sellout streak since 2002.

 

Individual Notes

  • Fifth-year KR Rahkeem Smith returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown for Georgia Tech’s first points of the season in the second quarter.
  • Smith’s 100-yard kickoff return was the fifth in Georgia Tech history.

100-YARD KICKOFF RETURNS – GEORGIA TECH HISTORY
Drew Hill vs. Georgia – Dec. 2, 1978
Dez White vs. Maryland – Oct. 31, 1998
Jamal Golden vs. North Carolina – Nov. 10, 2012
Juanyeh Thomas vs. Georgia – Nov. 24, 2018
Rahkeem Smith vs. Colorado – Sept. 3, 2026

  • Smith’s kickoff return for a touchdown was Georgia Tech’s first of any length since Jahmyr Gibbs’ 98-yard return vs. Boston College on Nov. 13, 2021.
  • Smith’s touchdown came on his first touch as a Yellow Jacket. He transferred to Georgia Tech from Bowling Green prior to the 2025 season, but saw action in only one game in his first season at GT, the 2025 Pop-Tarts Bowl vs. BYU.
  • TE Kevin Roche’s field goal block in the fourth quarter was the first of his career.
  • WR Jordan Allen set career highs with eight receptions (prev.: 6 vs. Syracuse – Oct. 25, 2025) and 113 receiving yards (prev: 110 at NC State – Nov. 1, 2025).
  • Fifth-year LB Kyle Efford matched his career high with 13 tackles (prev.: 13 vs. Georgia State – Aug. 31, 2024).
  • Fifth-year S Savion Riley shattered his previous career high with 10 tackles (prev.: 3 at Colorado – Aug. 29, 2025).
  • S Tae Harris set a career high with nine tackles (prev.: 6 vs. BYU – Dec. 27, 2025).
  • Making his first collegiate start, Jr. QB Alberto Mendoza completed 17-of-23 passes with no interceptions for 237 yards.
  • Making his Georgia Tech debut, Sr. RB Justice Haynes had a game-high 64 rushing yards on 19 carries.
(Danny Karnik photo)(Danny Karnik photo)

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