BLACKSBURG, Va. – Georgia Tech nearly rallied from a 21-point deficit but couldn’t completely overcome a disastrous first half in a 34-24 defeat at Virginia Tech on Saturday.
Trailing 24-3 at halftime, Georgia Tech scored two touchdowns in the first 2:59 of the second half to pull within a score at 24-17. The Yellow Jackets’ defense forced a second-straight three-and-out immediately after they cut the deficit to seven, but a pair of miscues in the return game (a muffed punt and a kickoff return that only came out to the 9 yard line) gave them poor field position on back-to-back possessions and they went back down by 17 points early in the fourth quarter.
The Jackets pulled back within 10 points in the fourth quarter, but a missed field goal earlier in the period squashed the opportunity to make it a one-score game once again and Virginia Tech was able to run the final 5:20 off the clock to secure the win.
The game was a tale of two halves. Georgia Tech was outgained, 307-149, in the first half, including a 215 passing yards for Virginia Tech before the break. In the second half, the Yellow Jackets outgained VT by a whopping 279-102 margin, including a 186-35 edge through the air.
Georgia Tech quarterback Alberto Mendoza completed 29-of-38 passes for a career-high 335 yards and two touchdowns to lead the way for the Yellow Jackets. Once again, his favorite target was wide receiver Jordan Allen, who caught 10 passes for a career-high 120 yards. Combined with his 10 receptions last Saturday versus No. 23 Duke, Allen became the first player in Tech history with double-digit receptions in consecutive games.
Wideout Dalen Penson also set a career high with 86 receiving yards, while Trelain Maddox, carried the load in the rushing game with running backs Justice Haynes and Malachi Hosley both sidelined due to injuries, running for a career-best 96 yards.
Defensively, Georgia Tech sacked VT QB Ethan Grunkemeyer five times, nearly equaling the Yellow Jackets’ six sacks for the season going into the game.
Defensive tackle Vincent Carroll-Jackson, safety Tae Harris, defensive end Taje McCoy and linebacker Cayman Spaulding led the Jackets with six tackles apiece, with McCoy, Spaulding, end Noah Carter, linebacker Braylon Outlaw and tackles Christian Speakman and Tawfiq Thomas all getting in on sacks.
Georgia Tech looks to get back into the win column next Saturday when they host Boston College for homecoming at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. and the game will be televised on ACC Network. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by clicking HERE.