THE FLATS – Jahmyr Gibbs ran a kickoff back 98 yards for a touchdown and scored another on the ground, piling up 223 all-purpose yards, but Georgia Tech suffered a 41-30 Atlantic Coast Conference football defeat to Boston College Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
Gibbs’ kickoff return came in the opening period, answering Boston College’s opening touchdown drive, and sparked Georgia Tech to 21-straight points. Quarterback Jordan Yates led the Yellow Jackets on long drives on their next two possessions following the Gibbs return, hitting Malachi Carter for 12 yards to cap a 70-yard march, and plunging in from 2 yards out at the end of an 85-yard drive to give Tech a 21-7 lead early in the second quarter. However, BC responded with 21 unanswered points to take a 28-21 lead into the break.
Tech battled back in the third quarter, getting a 28-yard field goal from Brett Cimaglia to cut the deficit to 28-24, then drove 77 yards to the Eagles’ 12 on its next possession before an interception snuffed out the Jackets’ bid to take the lead. After a BC field goal made it 31-24, Yates took the Jackets 68 yards in eight plays, capped by a 4-yard touchdown run by Gibbs. However, Cimaglia’s extra point kick bounced off the right upright, and the Jackets still trailed 31-30 with 8:59 to go in the ballgame.
Unfortunately for the Yellow Jackets, that would be as close as they would get, as Boston College controlled the clock for much of the rest of the game. The Eagles drove 90 yards and milked 6:05 off the clock, scoring on Jurkovec’s 31-yard run with 2:48 left in the game to make it 38-30, then added a 27-yard Connor Lytton field goal with 1:01 left in the game for the final margin.
For the third-straight game, Gibbs racked up over 200 all-purpose yards, finishing with 223. His 223 all-purpose yards included 96 yards on 19 rushes and 29 yards on five receptions. Yates completed 17-of-28 for 126 yards and accounted for two touchdowns (one rushing, one passing).
The Yellow Jackets fell to 3-7 overall and 2-6 in the ACC, while the Eagles won their second-straight game, becoming bowl-eligible at 6-4 overall (2-4 ACC).
The Yellow Jackets go back on the road next Saturday for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff at No. 7 Notre Dame. The game will be televised nationally on NBC.
Jahmyr Gibbs returned the first kickoff that Georgia Tech received 98 yards for a touchdown. (Photo: Danny Karnik).
Postgame Notes
Team
• Georgia Tech lost its fourth-straight game and fell to 3-7 on the season (2-6 ACC).
• Boston College became bowl-eligible with its sixth win of the season.
• Georgia Tech fell to 7-4 all-time and 3-3 at home against Boston College.
• After allowing 329 yards in the first half, Georgia Tech’s defense limited Boston College to 176 yards in the second half.
Individual Notes
• Georgia Tech Fr. RB Jahmyr Gibbs returned the first kickoff that Georgia Tech received (following Boston College touchdown on game’s opening series) 98 yards for a touchdown. It was the first-career kickoff return for a touchdown of Gibbs’ career (prev. long: 75 yards vs. UCF, Sept. 19, 2020)
• Gibbs’ 98-yard kickoff return is the sixth-longest in Georgia Tech history.
• Gibbs’ kickoff return for a touchdown was the first by a Yellow Jacket since Juanyeh Thomas’ 100-yard return for a score at Georgia on Nov. 24, 2018.
• Gibbs, who entered the game ranked third nationally in all-purpose yardage (161.9 ypg), had 223 all-purpose yards on Saturday (96 rushing, 29 receiving, 98 kickoff return).
• Georgia Tech r-Fr. QB Jordan Yates made his fourth-career start in place of Fr. QB Jeff Sims.
• Yates’ had a career-high 47 rushing yards on 12 carries (prev.: 27 vs. Northern Illinois, Sept. 4).
• Georgia Tech Fr. DB Jordan Huff had a forced fumble and fumble recovery on the same play in the first quarter. The forced fumble and fumble recovery were both career firsts for Huff.
Jordan Yates made his fourth-career start and accounted for two touchdowns on Saturday. (Photo: Danny Karnik).
Multimedia
ACC Digital Network Highlights
ACC Digital Network Condensed Game
Head Coach Geoff Collins Postgame Press Conference (Video)
Head Coach Geoff Collins Postgame Press Conference (Audio)
Student-Athletes Press Conference
Around Social Media
📍
Let’s get to work.#4the404 pic.twitter.com/eQtILqzcTC
— Georgia Tech Football (@GeorgiaTechFB) November 13, 2021
It’s a 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 day on The Flats ☀️ pic.twitter.com/ALFJq3FARg
— Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (@GTAthletics) November 13, 2021
𝙇𝙤𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 in 1…2… ⏳#4the404 pic.twitter.com/3yUnsUTrjR
— Georgia Tech Football (@GeorgiaTechFB) November 13, 2021
Here WE go!
🗣 @LewisCaralla pic.twitter.com/dbgz8rrIBj
— Georgia Tech Football (@GeorgiaTechFB) November 13, 2021
Now that’s how you make an entrance 🪂
Time for @GeorgiaTechFB #TogetherWeSwarm pic.twitter.com/KXuyFBcVVS
— Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (@GTAthletics) November 13, 2021
Jahmyr Gibbs is a TD threat from anywhere 🔥@GeorgiaTechFB | @ACCFootball pic.twitter.com/3BBgThUurd
— Bally Sports South (@BallySportsSO) November 13, 2021
GIBBS TO THE CRIB 🏠 @GeorgiaTechFB ties the game with a 98-yard kickoff return TD! pic.twitter.com/5ydfa6Rcwb
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) November 13, 2021
💥💥💥@GeorgiaTechFB defense providing some chaos. pic.twitter.com/aPkHApCpbW
— Bally Sports South (@BallySportsSO) November 13, 2021
Jordan Yates. Makin' plays.@GeorgiaTechFB | @ACCFootball pic.twitter.com/yLvTnVPmqH
— Bally Sports South (@BallySportsSO) November 13, 2021
