Georgia Tech-Virginia Tech final score: 3 things we learned from the Yellow Jackets’ comeback victory

Georgia Tech remains undefeated, against all odds. The Yellow Jackets trailed 13-3 with a minute left in the first half, but made a strong comeback aided by some big Virginia Tech errors to win on a last-second 24-yard field goal, 27-24.

The win wasn’t Georgia Tech’s only theft of the day:

The two teams traded field goals in the first quarter, but Virginia Tech was able to take the lead on Joey Slye’s second field goal before padding it with Marshawn Williams’s six-yard run. Georgia Tech quarterback Justin Thomas brought it close with less than a minute left, jumping over the pile for a touchdown, but Virginia Tech was able to drive down the field and kick their third field goal to make it 16-10 at halftime.

Early in the third quarter, Georgia Tech blocked Slye’s fourth field goal attempt of the day and appeared to take the lead on a long touchdown run. It was called back for a low block, but the Yellow Jackets were able to drive into the Hokies’ red zone. They settled for their second field goal attempt of the game, missing it and keeping the score at 16-10.

Near the start of the fourth quarter, Michael Brewer threw a misguided floater towards the general middle of the field. Georgia Tech’s Paul Davis picked it off and returned it 41 yards to the house, giving the Yellow Jackets the 17-16 lead with the first points of the half. How bad was the throw? Virginia Tech was flagged for having an ineligible receiver downfield:

How did Virginia Tech respond? By nearly turning the ball over themselves. Marshawn Williams fumbled the ball while nearing the first down line, and Brewer simply scooped it up and scored to take the lead back.

Georgia Tech was able to convert on fourth-and-15 on their next drive, tying the game up on a beautiful lob pass from Justin Thomas to DeAndre Smelter. On the very next drive, Brewer threw another ill-advised floater to the left side, and the Yellow Jackets picked it off again.

Georgia Tech drove down the field, knocking off the last two minutes of game clock before hitting the short field goal to win it.

1. Georgia Tech’s offense is explosive, but needs consistency. The Yellow Jackets were able to break off a number of long runs, but penalties and failures in short-yardage situations prevented Paul Johnson’s squad from capitalizing. Georgia Tech converted just three of their 11 third down opportunities, but made some important plays down the stretch (on the ground and in the air) to grab the victory.

2. Virginia Tech needs help to score points. Michael Brewer looked pretty good for the Hokies early, but the turnover bug hit and Virginia Tech was unable to recover. The Hokies needed some serious fumble luck and some big defensive stops to get on the board in the first place, and when the luck shifted they were unable to respond.

3. The ACC Coastal race will probably be ugly. Again. All seven teams in the division have looked decidedly mediocre, with none really standing out in either direction. We’re pulling for everyone to finish 4-4, but some dreams were always meant to die.