It was just two weeks ago Virginia Tech was being praised for their effort against Ohio State in Columbus. Really, it was that recently the Hokies were ranked in the top 25 and looking like a strong contender in the ACC, or at least the Coastal Division. Two weeks later the Hokies have lost two straight games on their home field. Last week it was East Carolina holding on for a victory. This week it was the Hokies coughing up a fourth-quarter lead and going down in division play as Georgia Tech snuck out of Blacksburg with a 27-24 victory.
Virginia Tech lost the lead twice in the fourth quarter. Georgia Tech took its first lead since the opening score when Paul Davis returned an interception of Michael Brewer 41 yards for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter. The extra point gave Georgia Tech a 17-16 lead, but it lasted just a few minutes. On the ensuing possession, it was Brewer who got a lucky bounce on a fumbled football. Brewer had the loose ball find its way to him and he was able to run for a 21-yard touchdown with the defense mostly out of the picture. A two-point conversion gave the home team a 24-17 lead midway through the quarter.
Georgia Tech looked cooked on a 4th and 15 situation but pulled together a big first down play out of a timeout that seemed costly at the time. After completing the first down the Yellow Jackets again took to the air as Justin Thomas connected with DeAndre Smelter for a 31-yard touchdown with 2:03 to play. After converted a 4th and 15, why not go for broke, right? It paid off, and from there Georgia Tech’s defense waited for another mistake to pounce on. They got it on Virginia Tech’s next drive. Brewer made a poor decision on a pass and was picked off by D.J. White on the first play of the drive. The turnover gave Georgia Tech a free possession at the Virginia Tech 40-yard line. Using their time management to perfection, Georgia Tech methodically moved into field goal position for Harrison Butker. Butker sent a routine 24-yard field goal through the uprights as time expired, giving Georgia Tech the win and a spot in first place in the ACC Coastal Division.
Virginia Tech will play their third straight home game next weekend. Western Michigan will make the trip to represent the MAC, and Virginia Tech will return to ACC play with another key ACC Coastal Division battle the following week against North Carolina. The road trip to Chapel Hill kicks off a crucial three-game stretch for Virginia Tech in division play with games at North Carolina, at Pittsburgh and then at home against Miami. That could easily give Virginia Tech a chance to rebound and grab a firm hold of the division, which is something no team in this division has really been able to do in recent seasons. Georgia Tech is just getting started with their key division stretch. After taking next week off, Georgia Tech will host Miami and Duke before visiting North Carolina and Pittsburgh.
Georgia Tech is just getting started with their key division stretch. After taking next week off, Georgia Tech will host Miami and Duke before visiting North Carolina and Pittsburgh.