Showdown at Bobby Dodd

In a game that almost went down as an incredible comeback, Georgia Tech fans were a heart attack short of a let down at Historic Grant Field. It a run of 20+ unanswered points for both sides, the Jackets turned to Scott Blair for a 36 yard field goal with one minute remaining. Last season, the kid was about 50% from anywhere on the field, but he was 3/3 from 24, 34, and 36, leading the Jackets over a very good Clemson team.

Georgia Tech’s defense started out with a bang, holding Clemson to 17 yards and a turnover on downs. Then the Tech passing game, yes I’m going to call it that, yielded a quick interception on the first play. But the defense answered the call again, holding Spiller and Co. to 7 yards and a punt.

PJ decided that on this play maybe we should try the triple option, and Nesbitt read it to perfection, tossing to Anthony Allen right as the Defense collapsed on him, and Allen rumbled for 82 yards and the first TD of the game.

Now up 7-0, and quickly at that, the defense was called upon again, and again held the Tigers and forced a potential 56 yard field-goal. Not sold on the FG attempt, Tarrant for the Jackets backed up to the 10, and low and behold Clemson tries to pooch kick to the corner. Tarrant was waiting, fielded the punt cleanly, and then somehow squeeze in between 4 Clemson defenders, and then beats the kicker for an 85 yard TD.

The ensuing Clemson possession lead to an interception and on 4th down, the Jackets appeared to send out the offense, but quickly sent in the FG unit on 4th and 13 from the 34. Clemson, confused in the quick switch, forgot about Bebe Thomas on the sideline, and Blair faked the kick only to throw it to Thomas, wide open, on the 10 and an eventual TD.

Soon after a Blair FG put Tech up 24-0 in the middle of the 3rd. Clemson though would counter several times with huge plays of their own. Parker hit Spiller in stride down the Clemson side line for a quick hit 63 yard TD, then Clemson followed with a solid drive and an eventual TD on a 7 yard pass from Parker. Clemson defense would stall the triple option on 4 straight drives, holding Tech to only 53 yards on those drive, and Parker rapidly assumed the offense again, only to hit Jacoby Ford for a 77 yard TD pass. A 53 yard FG from Clemson, that would have been good from 60+, would give Clemson an incredible 27-24 lead after being down 24-0.

This in previous years under Gailey, would be where the Jackets had a tendency to roll over. However, PJ has already won several big wins when old “Mo” is on the other side (BC and FSU last year alone). Finally Tech woke up, and showed its character, piecing together a 69 yard drive and a Blair FG to tie it up
The ensuing Clemson drive was stalled by a clearly questionable holding call, a play that would have resulted in a Ford catch on the Tech 30 yard line, and Clemson was forced to punt. With a sense of urgency, Clemson’s defense held the first 2 option plays from Dwyer, and forced Tech into a 3rd and 11.

Nesbitt who at the time was 2-13, backed up and incredibly hit a well covered Thomas right over his shoulder. Tech would then wind some clock down, and Blair would kick the game tying FG with just under a minute to play.

What a game, up 24-0, down 24-27, then final of 30-27. Great game, Go Jackets!