Tag: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Nov 9, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward (1) scrambles against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the second quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Georgia Tech pulls off 28-23 upset win over No. 4 Miami

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Haynes King ran for a game-high 93 yards and a touchdown to help Georgia Tech to the home upset of No. 4 Miami 28-23 in Atlanta, Ga., on Saturday.

King, who split time at quarterback with Aaron Philo, also threw for a touchdown, while Philo passed for 67 yards and a score. Jamal Haynes ran for 83 yards and a touchdown, as the Yellow Jackets (6-4, 4-3 ACC) snapped a two-game skid.

Miami (9-1, 5-1) lost for the first time, despite Cam Ward’s 348 passing yards and three touchdowns. Jacolby George led the Hurricanes with seven receptions for 88 yards. Ward fumbled on Miami’s final possession with under two minutes remaining.

Trailing 14-10 at halftime, Miami turned the ball over on downs on its opening drive of the second half, as Ward’s pass attempt was incomplete at Georgia Tech’s 39-yard line.

The Yellow Jackets then took a 21-10 lead on an eight-play, 61-yard drive that was stamped with Philo’s first career touchdown pass, a 15-yard score to Chase Lane with 6:46 remaining in the third quarter.

The Hurricanes scored their first touchdown since their opening drive, as Ward found Isiah Horton on an eight-yard pass, with 2:43 left in the third quarter. Ward’s two-point conversion attempt was stuffed, as Miami’s deficit was cut to 21-16 entering the fourth quarter.

On the ensuing drive, the Yellow Jackets converted a third and 18 on Miami’s 45-yard line, as Philo found Bailey Stockton for a 27-yard reception. Three plays later, King delivered a 5-yard TD run to extend Georgia Tech’s lead 28-16 with 13:09 remaining in the game.

Miami closed to within one score when Ward connected with Xavier Restrepo for a 38-yard TD pass with 6:07 left. Following a Georgia Tech punt, Ward was strip-sacked by Romello Height, and Jordan van den Berg recovered the fumble on the Hurricanes’ 17-yard line to ice the win.

Haynes ran in the game’s first score from 16 yards out, giving the Yellow Jackets a 7-0 lead at the 12:49 mark.

Miami scored on its second offensive play, as Ward found Arroyo on a 74-yard game-tying touchdown pass with 11:59 left in the opening quarter.

Miami took its only lead with Andres Borregales’ 41-yard field goal with 7:52 left in the first quarter, before Georgia Tech retook the lead with a 17-play, 75-yard drive, stamped with King’s 5-yard touchdown pass to Malik Rutherford for a 14-10 advantage.

–Field Level Media

Nov 2, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward (1) looks for a passing option against the Duke Blue Devils during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

No. 4 Miami looks to stay perfect in battle with Georgia Tech

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With every week that passes, the No. 4 Miami Hurricanes’ pursuit of their first Atlantic Coast Conference title and College Football Playoff appearance grows closer.

After Tuesday’s CFP rankings placed the Hurricanes in the four-spot, Miami knows where it stands in the committee’s mind ahead of Saturday’s game in Atlanta against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

Miami (9-0, 5-0 ACC), one of the nation’s five remaining undefeated teams, was included in the CFP poll for the first time since 2020 and sits at its highest ranking since it was No. 2 in November 2017.

The Hurricanes’ 5-0 conference mark has them tied with SMU atop the ACC leaderboard. Miami has only appeared in the ACC Championship Game once, a 38-3 loss to Clemson in 2017.

Despite its perfect record, the Hurricanes haven’t gone through the season without a handful of scares. Miami rallied from a 10-point, fourth-quarter deficit in its 38-34 win over Virginia Tech and a 25-point deficit in a 39-38 win at California before overcoming a pesky Duke team last time out. The Hurricanes trailed the Blue Devils 28-17 in the third quarter at home on Saturday before pulling away for a 53-31 victory.

Behind quarterback Cam Ward’s 3,146 passing yards and 29 touchdowns, the 2024 season has brought back relevance to a Miami program that hasn’t won a postseason game in eight years.

“I think our hunger is growing,” Miami head coach Mario Cristobal said. “We recognize what a blessing it is to be in November and playing very significant football. I think we understand the importance of focusing on 1-0 and nothing else matters besides our current opportunity.”

The explosive Hurricanes offense leads the nation with 556.9 yards and 47.4 points per game. As consistent as the unit has been for Miami, its opponent this week finds itself on the other side of the spectrum.

Georgia Tech (5-4, 3-3) has lost two straight, most recently being held without a touchdown in its 21-6 loss at Virginia Tech. A major factor in the skid has been the absence of quarterback Haynes King. The second-year starter left a 41-34 win at North Carolina on Oct. 12 with a shoulder injury and hasn’t played since.

King, who has thrown eight touchdowns to just one interception, adding 353 rushing yards and six scores on the ground, was filled in for by Zach Pyron and Aaron Philo. Pyron completed just 10 of 22 passes for 76 yards in Georgia Tech’s loss to Virginia Tech, before being benched for third-stringer Aaron Philo, who threw for 184 yards in the defeat.

According to head coach Brent Key, King’s status is still up in the air.

“We’re hopeful,” Key said. “I don’t have anything else to tell you other than he is day-to-day. He is improving, he practiced, he is out there so we will see and it will be a game-time decision.”

A win Saturday would be Georgia Tech’s sixth, making them bowl eligible for a second straight year for the first time since appearing in a bowl every season from 1997-2014.

–Field Level Media

Oct 26, 2024; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Kyron Drones (1) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Kyron Drones shows scoring versatility in Virginia Tech’s win over Georgia Tech

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Kyron Drones passed, rushed and caught touchdowns, leading Virginia Tech to a 21-6 win over visiting Georgia Tech in Atlantic Coast Conference play Saturday in Blacksburg, Va.

Drones completed 17 of 28 passes for 128 yards. Bhayshul Tuten ran for a team-high 72 yards, as the Hokies (5-3, 3-1 ACC) won for the third straight time. Benji Gosnell hauled in four passes for 55 yards and a touchdown in the win.

For Georgia Tech (5-4, 3-3), starting quarterback Zach Pyron completed just 9-of-21 passing for 71 yards and an interception. Pyron was replaced in the third quarter by Aaron Philo, who completed 11 of 26 passes for 184 yards and an interception.

Jamal Haynes led the Yellow Jackets with 48 rushing yards, while Eric Singleton Jr. caught five passes for 90 yards, as Georgia Tech lost its second straight.

Leading 14-6, the Hokies had a chance to extend their lead to two scores, but John Love’s 54-yard field-goal attempt was blocked by Ryland Goede. Virginia Tech regained possession two plays later, however, as Keli Lawson intercepted Pyron and returned the ball to the Yellow Jackets’ 42-yard line.

Drones then found Stephen Gosnell for 27 yards on first down, leading to Drones’ 1-yard rushing touchdown with 4:50 left in the third, extending the Hokies’ lead to 21-6.

On the final play of the third quarter, newly inserted Philo found Singleton for 57 yards to the Hokies’ 26-yard line. From there, however, the Virginia Tech defense stuffed Haynes on fourth-and-1, forcing a turnover on downs.

In the first quarter, Georgia Tech cracked the scoreboard on its opening drive, as Aidan Birr knocked through a 34-yard field goal at the 7:00 mark.

Following punts from each team, the Hokie offense put together its best drive to that point, with Drones connecting with Benji Gosnell for 31 yards to the Yellow Jacket 20-yard line, before going back to Gosnell for a 20-yard passing touchdown with 13:02 left in the second quarter.

With 5:39 remaining in the opening half, Birr’s season-long 50-yard field goal cut Georgia Tech’s deficit to 7-6.

Virginia Tech answered on the following drive with Tuten’s 41-yard run on the first play, before wide receiver Keylen Adams threw a 6-yard touchdown to Drones on a reverse play with 1:45 left in the first half, giving the Hokies a 14-6 advantage.

–Field Level Media

Oct 17, 2024; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies running back Bhayshul Tuten (33) runs the ball against Boston College Eagles cornerback Bryquice Brown (19) during the second quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech aim to run past Georgia Tech

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Two teams vying for a key Atlantic Coast Conference victory will meet Saturday afternoon when Virginia Tech hosts Georgia Tech in Blacksburg, Va.

The Hokies (4-3, 2-1) are seeking their first three-game winning streak since 2019.

Bhayshul Tuten set a school record with 266 rushing yards to go with three rushing touchdowns and a receiving score in Virginia Tech’s 42-21 victory over Boston College last week.

For the season, Tuten’s 871 rushing yards rank sixth in the nation, and second in the ACC only to North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton (901).

Virginia Tech hopes to see its offensive momentum continue Saturday as it prepares for Georgia Tech (5-3, 3-2), which has won four in a row in Blacksburg.

“We appreciate our fans’ support; we’ll need it again this weekend,” Hokies coach Brent Pry said. “Quality opponent, in conference, an awesome opportunity for our football program against a very good football team. (Georgia Tech) has been competitive each game, and I know we’ll have a good football team coming in here.”

The last time the Yellow Jackets and Hokies met was on Nov. 5, 2022, a 28-27 win by Georgia Tech. In that game, Georgia Tech quarterback Zach Pyron led an 11-point, fourth-quarter rally.

Nearly two years later, it might be Pyron who is preparing to face the Hokies again in Lane Stadium.

After backing up starter Haynes King since the beginning of 2023, Pyron was thrown back into the starting role last Saturday in a 31-13 loss against then-No. 12 Notre Dame. King sustained a shoulder injury in an Oct. 12 win at North Carolina.

However, coach Brent Key is making it clear that the Yellow Jackets haven’t come to a QB decision yet.

“Haynes is still day-to-day,” Key said. “There was some report that someone had come out with that said he’s not playing. There’s only one person in the entire stratosphere universe that makes that call, and that’s myself. There’s been zero call made on that. Are we preparing the other guy to play? Yes. Are we ruling him out? No.”

For the season, King has thrown for 1,568 yards and eight touchdowns, with one interception. He’s added 353 rushing yards and six scores on the ground.

Pyron is 25-for-43 for 333 yards, with two touchdown passes and two interceptions. He’s added 105 rushing yards and four scores.

–Field Level Media

Oct 12, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets running back Jamal Haynes (11) is hoisted in the air after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Georgia Tech stuns North Carolina with late 68-yard TD

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Jamal Haynes ran for a game-high 170 yards, including the go-ahead 68-yard touchdown with 16 seconds left, as visiting Georgia Tech beat North Carolina 41-34 in Atlantic Coast Conference play Saturday in Chapel Hill, N.C.

The game-winner was one of two rushing scores for Haynes, who helped the Yellow Jackets (5-2, 3-2) to their second straight win. Haynes King completed 11 of 22 passes for 127 yards, adding 107 rushing yards and a pair of scores on the ground for Georgia Tech.

Jacolby Criswell completed 17 of 31 passes for 209 yards with a touchdown for North Carolina (3-4, 0-3), which dropped its fourth straight game. Criswell added 73 yards and two scores on the ground. Omarion Hampton led the Tar Heels with 137 rushing yards.

The Yellow Jackets took a 27-14 lead with an eight-play, 67-yard drive that ended with King’s 7-yard touchdown run with 6:46 left in the third quarter. Noah Burnette cut into the Tar Heels’ deficit with a 50-yard field goal at the 2:53 mark.

After forcing a three-and-out, Alijah Huzzie scored on a 69-yard punt return for North Carolina, trimming Georgia Tech’s lead to 27-24 with 1:10 left in the third.

The Yellow Jackets answered with a 10-play, 75-yard drive that Haynes capped with a 4-yard touchdown run with 11:18 remaining in the fourth quarter. Criswell’s 1-yard score on fourth-and-goal pulled North Carolina within 34-31 with 3:27 to play.

The Tar Heels then forced a punt and drew even at 34-34 on Burnette’s 26-yarder with 44 seconds left. Haynes rushed for the winning score on the second play of Georgia Tech’s ensuing drive.

The visitors scored first after a six-play, 38-yard drive, stamped with Chad Alexander’s 2-yard run with 6:12 left in the first quarter.

Later in the first quarter, Criswell connected with J.J. Jones for a 53-yard pass to the Yellow Jacket 25-yard line. Criswell ran in the Tar Heels’ first score from 1 yard out two plays later.

Aidan Birr made a 26-yard field goal for Georgia Tech at the 7:36 mark of the second quarter. King rushed for a 20-yard touchdown with 1:54 left in the first half, extending the Yellow Jackets’ lead to 17-7.

Hampton broke off a 71-yard run to begin North Carolina’s next possession, which led to Criswell’s 4-yard touchdown pass to Jones with 34 seconds left. Birr’s 29-yard field goal with three seconds left put Georgia Tech ahead 20-14 at halftime.

–Field Level Media

Louisville Cardinals quarterback Tyler Shough (9) throws the ball during their game against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium in Louisville, Ky.

No. 19 Louisville puts high-output offense up against Georgia Tech

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No. 19 Louisville will play host to Georgia Tech on Saturday in a battle of ACC teams intent on having a say in who wins the conference title.

Georgia Tech (3-1, 1-1 ACC) is coming off a 59-7 blowout victory over VMI last Saturday. The Yellow Jackets were picked ninth in the ACC preseason poll but already have knocked off preseason No. 1 pick Florida State in their opener, while falling 31-28 at Syracuse on Sept. 7.

“We’ll have our hands full,” Louisville coach Jeff Brohm said of Georgia Tech. “We’re going against a team that’s very efficient on offense, in the passing and running game. They’re physical at the point of attack, control the football and play solid defense.”

Louisville (2-0) had time to prepare for its conference opener, as it is coming off the first of two bye weeks. The Cardinals have shown some early offense in victories over FCS opponent Austin Peay 62-0 and Jacksonville State 49-14. Louisville was picked fifth in the ACC preseason poll.

“We have two bye weeks this year, which I don’t love, but they’re there, so we try and get our guys fresh and healthy, which we did,” Brohm said. “It’s important that they know that we have an important stretch of games coming up that we have to be ready for. We have to continue to progress to reach our ultimate goal, and you’ve got to be sharp each week.”

The Yellow Jackets are ranked 36th in total offense at 446.2 yards per game and have averaged 36.5 points per game. The defense has allowed 317.5 yards (66th) and 17.8 points per game (51st).

Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King has 962 passing yards and six touchdowns, while he has rushed for 158 yards and three more TDs. King has thrown only one interception and has completed 76.4 percent of his passes.

“They’re battle-tested, without question,” Brohm said. “They’ve proven that they can play some good football, so I give the credit where credit is due. They’ve done a really good job.”

While Louisville rolled to victories in two games against heavy underdogs, Georgia Tech coach Brent Key knows this week’s opponent can be a scoring threat.

“We have a big challenge in front of us,” Key said. “A very good Louisville team. Coach Brohm, Jeff does a great job. Not just coaching and developing his team, but, you know, as a game manager as well. … They’re a talented team.”

Louisville went 10-4 last season in the first year under Brohm, a former Cardinals quarterback. Louisville beat Georgia Tech 39-34 last season in the opening game for both teams and eventually lost to Florida State 16-6 in the ACC championship game.

Even with 41 newcomers on the roster, the Cardinals are third-best in the nation with 55.5 points per game and are fourth with 590.5 yards per game. Quarterback Tyler Shough has passed for 581 yards and six TDs. The Louisville defense is allowing just seven points and 198 yards per game, which rank 10th and eighth, respectively.

It’s the fourth all-time meeting between Louisville and Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets won the first two games, 66-31 in 2018 and 46-27 in 2020.

–Field Level Media

Apr 20, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback DJ Uiagalelei (4) during the Spring Showcase at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports

Florida State-Georgia Tech: Preview, Props, Trends

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For 229 days, the college football world has awaited the return of the ever-changing sport.

No team is more eager to get back to the proving grounds than No. 10 Florida State.

Georgia Tech and Florida State kick off the 2024 season on Saturday in Dublin, Ireland. Saturday marks the ninth college football game played in the country.

THE ODDS
Florida State is a consensus 10.5-point favorite among major sportsbooks. That includes BetMGM, where the Seminoles have been backed by 54 percent of the spread-line handle since opening at -13.5. The 68 percent of the total bets backing FSU’s spread line has been the most popular bet among Week 0 games at the book.

Meanwhile, BetRivers reported that the Seminoles’ -560 moneyline to win the game outright has been the second most popular play with 16.6 percent of all money wagered. That’s behind only the 22.3 percent backing the Under on 57.5 total points being scored when Delaware State visits Hawaii.

The 55.5-point Over/Under between FSU and Georgia Tech at BetMGM has seen fairly split action, with 58 percent of the bets backing the Over while the Under has drawn 54 percent of the money.

THE SERIES
The Seminoles have dominated the series with a 13-4 advantage in regular-season ACC meetings (2-0 in ACC title games).

Georgia Tech is playing internationally for the second time. The Yellow Jackets topped Boston College 17-14 in the inaugural Aer Lingus Classic in 2016.

“It’s a great opportunity for Georgia Tech,” coach Brent Key said. “It’ll be great for people to see the GT on a worldwide stage.”

UIAGALELEI ERA BEGINS
A College Football Playoff bridesmaid in December, the Seminoles return depth from the 13-1 conference-championship winning team. Florida State brings back 73 players, including nine All-ACC members, an unprecedented number in today’s transfer portal-dominated landscape.

In the backfield, the Seminoles are led by fifth-year senior Lawrance Toafili, who rushed for 463 yards in 2023, when he backed up Trey Benson. Toafili was last year’s ACC Championship Game MVP and enters the season as Florida State’s leading returner in rushing and all-purpose yards.

The offense returns a receiving core of nine Seminoles who combined for 86 receptions for 1,195 yards and five touchdowns. Although the unit lost Keon Coleman, Johnny Wilson and Jaheim Bell to the NFL Draft, a pair of experienced players in Mackey Award watch list tight end Kyle Morlock (19 receptions, 255 yards in 2023) and Ja’Khi Douglas (14-243) look to anchor the group.

Maybe the most vital piece of the Florida State roster is fifth-year transfer quarterback DJ Uiagalelei. He takes over for Jordan Travis, the 2023 ACC Player of the Year whose season ended with a knee injury that shifted the Seminoles’ fortunes. Travis was a fifth-round pick of the Jets in April.

After an inconsistent career at Clemson from 2020-22, Uiagalelei found more success at Oregon State in 2023, passing for 2,638 yards and accounting for 27 total touchdowns.

Back in the ACC for a final go-around, the veteran quarterback is considered a key in the Seminoles’ bid for their first College Football Playoff appearance in a decade.

“DJ has played in a lot of football games,” Florida State coach Mike Norvell said. “He’s seen it all. He’s been through the highs and lows. I could not be any more pleased with what I’ve seen since he got here in January. He’s playing with a lot of confidence. I’m excited to see him go play like he’s prepared. If he does that, I think he could have a very special season.”

In front of Uiagalelei, Florida State returns all-conference offensive linemen Darius Washington and Maurice Smith.

Florida State was left out of the playoff last season in part because of injuries at the quarterback position. But the Seminoles are 23-4 the past two seasons and don’t need a pep talk before taking the field in 2024.

TECH TRENDING UP
Georgia Tech enters the season coming off its first winning campaign since 2018, and first bowl win since 2016. Key has the program anticipating renewed success.

Dual-threat quarterback Haynes King, who threw for 2,842 yards and 27 touchdowns, while adding 737 rushing yards and 10 scores on the ground in 2023, is back behind center for the Yellow Jackets.

“When I say (Haynes) has every skill and every bit of ability to be the best quarterback in the country, I mean it,” Key said. “We’re very excited for him.”

Last year’s leading rusher Jamal Haynes (1,059 yards, seven touchdowns) also returns for Tech.

Florida State’s offense gets plenty of publicity. The Seminoles have some youth on the other side of the ball, but defensive back Azareye’h Thomas said the group’s mindset paves the way for positives.

Key overturned a staff that ranked 97th in the country last year in points allowed. Duke’s defensive coordinator, Tyler Santucci, relocated to Atlanta. Under Santucci, the Blue Devils allowed just 19 points per game, best in the ACC.

“That’s why I got hired,” Santucci said. “Stop people, create takeaways … get the ball back to the offense and don’t let them score touchdowns. That’s not pressure. That’s our job.”

THEY SAID IT
“They have speed, speed, speed. Our defense will have to mind our Ps and Qs. It starts in the meeting room. We watch film so that when we come out to practice, it’s easy.” — Georgia Tech defensive back Azareye’h Thomas on facing the FSU offense.

–Field Level Media

Nov 18, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King (10) throws a pass against the Syracuse Orange in the first half at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Ga. Tech smothers Syracuse, 31-22

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Haynes King threw two touchdown passes and ran for another as host Georgia Tech became bowl-eligible with a 31-22 home victory over Syracuse on Saturday evening in Atlanta.

King finished 16 of 20 for 180 yards and ran for a team-high 82 yards as the Yellow Jackets (6-5, 5-3 ACC) won for the third time in four games. Jamal Haynes contributed two touchdowns — one rushing and one receiving — for Georgia Tech.

Syracuse (5-6, 1-6) essentially played without a quarterback for the second straight game, as typical starter Garrett Shrader (upper body) was severely limited and regular backup Carlos Del Rio-Wilson (lower body) was sidelined.

Tight end Dan Villari took a bulk of the snaps for the Orange and went 14 of 14 for 59 yards while rushing for 64 yards and a score. Running back LeQuint Allen also saw significant action at quarterback and ran for 120 yards on 27 carries.

Georgia Tech took the opening kickoff and lit the scoreboard on King’s 15-yard TD pass to Haynes. Syracuse responded with Brady Denaburg’s 44-yard field goal, but that marked the only first-half points for the Orange.

Denaburg missed a 50-yarder early in the second quarter and the Yellow Jackets quickly made Syracuse pay, as King threw a bomb to Dominick Blaylock for a 53-yard touchdown. The hosts tacked on a 22-yard field goal from Aidan Birr in the waning seconds of the half for a 17-3 lead at intermission.

Things got even worse for Syracuse to begin the second half, as Darrell Gill Jr. fumbled the kickoff and Georgia Tech recovered. Haynes ran for a 30-yard touchdown on the next play to make it 24-3.

The Orange began their comeback with Villari’s 4-yard TD run with about 10 minutes left in the third quarter.

Later in the period, Allen unleashed a 53-yard punt return to set up his own 1-yard TD plunge, but the Orange botched the snap on the extra point. That error came back to bite the Orange, as they had to go for two after Allen’s 2-yard TD run midway through the fourth.

Allen tried to pass on the conversion attempt, but nothing materialized as Syracuse still trailed 24-22.

King’s 19-yard TD run with 2:22 left essentially sealed the outcome.

–Field Level Media

Nov 11, 2023; New York, New York, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers defensive back Donovan McMillon (3) attempts to tackle Syracuse Orange tight end Dan Villari (89) during the second half at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports

Sixth win at stake for Georgia Tech, Syracuse

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With bowl eligibility at stake for both teams, Georgia Tech welcomes Syracuse to Atlanta on Saturday for a critical Atlantic Coast Conference matchup.

The Yellow Jackets (5-5, 4-3) recently posted back-to-back wins over then-No. 17 North Carolina and Virginia before getting doubled up by Clemson last weekend 42-21. Georgia Tech came into that game averaging 465 yards of offense but mustered only 254 yards against the Tigers.

Haynes King was picked off four times and the Yellow Jackets only held the ball for 23:08 as their five-game ACC road winning streak came to an end.

“We got our butts kicked out there today,” Georgia Tech coach Brent Key said. “We’ve got to continue to improve, push through these things, correct these things, and get ready to play another game next week.”

That game will come against a Syracuse team that snapped a five-game losing streak last weekend with an innovative 28-13 victory over Pittsburgh. The Orange (5-5, 1-5) essentially played without a quarterback, as the injured Garrett Shrader was only able to throw two passes.

That opened the door for coach Dino Babers to install a wildcat offense in which tight end Dan Villari (17 carries, 154 yards) and running back LeQuint Allen (28 carries, 102 yards) took the bulk of the snaps.

Shrader is questionable for Saturday’s affair, while backup Carlos Del Rio-Wilson appears unlikely to be available after missing the Pitt game.

The Orange need one win to become bowl-eligible for the second straight season. They haven’t gone to a bowl in back-to-back seasons since 2012 and 2013.

“The bottom part of success is getting these guys to a bowl game,” Babers said. “They give up their summers, they go through broken bones, torn ligaments, surgeries. If we can find a way to get into a bowl, to me, that’s a good thing.”

The Yellow Jackets are aiming for their first bowl appearance since 2018.

Georgia Tech swept its first three games against Syracuse before dropping the last meeting, 37-20 in 2020.

–Field Level Media

Nov 11, 2023; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers receiver Tyler Brown (6) catches a pass for a touchdown against Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defensive back Jayloh King (14) during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports

Cade Klubnik leads Clemson to decisive win over Ga. Tech

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Cade Klubnik went 23-of-34 passing for 205 yards and threw touchdowns to four different pass-catchers as Clemson rolled to a 42-21 Atlantic Coast Conference home win over Georgia Tech, Saturday in Clemson, South Carolina.

The Tigers (6-4, 3-4 ACC) gave up a Georgia Tech touchdown in the first quarter after a fake-punt attempt deep in their own territory. After the four-yard Haynes King rush capped the Yellow Jackets’ 25-yard drive, it was all Clemson.

Klubnik threw his first scoring strike to Beaux Collins from five yards out at the end of an 18-play, 75-yard drive that consumed nearly 10 minutes of game time.

Clemson’s next two touchdown drives before halftime combined to take fewer plays and less time: eight and 3:12, ending in a three-yard Klubnik pass to Tyler Brown; and nine in 4:10, though covering 92 yards.

Will Shipley’s 32-yard scoring run sent the Tigers into halftime up 21-7. Shipley carried 11 times for 77 yards, supplementing Phil Mafah’s game-high 96 yards on 17 carries.

The Tigers poured on another 21 points in the second half before Georgia Tech scored again.

The Yellow Jackets (5-5, 4-3) scored on King’s 32-yard touchdown pass to Dontae Smith and a four-yard toss to Dylan Leonard, both in the fourth quarter.

The scoring throws on a 13-of-31, 129-yard day came after King threw four interceptions. The last of those capped Clemson’s 42 unanswered-point deluge, with Shelton Lewis returning a pick of King 46 yards for a Tigers touchdown.

Khalil Barnes, Avieon Terrell and Kylon Griffin all intercepted passes for the Tigers.

Clemson’s other second-half scores came on a five-yard Klubnik touchdown pass to Jake Briningstool, and a 13-yard connection from Klubnik to Josh Sapp.

Sapp caught two passes for 17 yards. Briningstool had four receptions for 27 yards, Brown caught seven passes for 41 yards and Collins led the Tigers with 65 yards on five catches.

Jamal Haynes ran for a game-high 104 yards on 15 carries in the loss.

–Field Level Media