Sting 'Em: Yellow Jackets Tested, Get Victory Behind Run

© Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

On Oct. 12, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (5-2, 3-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) traveled to Chapel Hill, N.C. to battle the Tar Heels (3-4, 0-3 ACC) and win 41-34. In the ACC battle, the Tar Heels and the Yellow Jackets showed that they are on much different paths from each other. With the Yellow Jackets looking to keep pace with the teams atop the conference, the Tar Heels are looking for their identity through various injuries. The result of the game was that Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key and the Yellow Jackets stung the Tar Heels.

What Happened in the Game?

After a punt on the opening drive by the Yellow Jackets offense, the defense stepped up and forced an early turnover with a fumble on the Tar Heels' first possession. The Yellow Jackets and quarterback Haynes King quickly turned that into an early 7-0 lead, culminating in a 2-yard touchdown run by Chad Alexander. In what turned into a back-and-forth battle, the Tar Heels answered with a touchdown of their own almost four minutes later on a 1-yard touchdown by Jacolby Criswell to make it a 7-7 game after the first quarter.

Unfortunately for the Tar Heels, the second quarter saw the Yellow Jackets get separation and take the lead for good. In an over 5-minute span in the second quarter, Georgia Tech outscored North Carolina 13-7. That was highlighted by Aidan Birr's 26-yard field goal and King's 20-yard TD. The Yellow Jackets went to halftime leading 20-14.

At the 6:46 mark in the third quarter, Georgia Tech extended their lead to 27-14 on a 7-yard touchdown run by King. Later in the second half, King appeared to have been injured. Despite fighting through an undisclosed injury, he was replaced by backup quarterback Zach Pyron during the fourth quarter. Georgia Tech held a 34-24 after a Jamal Haynes 4-yard TD run.

© Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels got the game close with a touchdown by Criswell with 3:27 remaining in the fourth quarter. With a punt from Georgia Tech, the Tar Heels were in possession to get the game-winning score or tie the game with a field goal to force overtime. On the ensuing drive, North Carolina quickly got to the 12-yard line due to a penalty. The Yellow Jackets' defense stepped up with a stand to force a 26-yard field goal attempt by Noah Burnette to tie the game at 34 with 44 seconds remaining. For those thinking the game would head to overtime, that would not be the case.

Play of the Game

With the game tied 34-34 and only 44 seconds remaining, quarterback Zach Pyron and the offense didn't blink. After a quick completion to receiver Malik Rutherford set up a second-and-3 play for the Yellow Jackets, Haynes took the hand-off and scored the game-winning 68-yard TD run. It capped a career-high 170-yard performance by Haynes that saw him average 8.9 yards per carry.

What the Win Means for the Yellow Jackets

The win moves the Yellow Jackets to 5-2 overall and with a 3-2 record in the ACC conference, but they are on the outside looking in for the ACC title game. The team rallying after King was replaced showed the resiliency and fighting spirit of coach Key's team. If the injury is significant, it also gave Pyron more of an opportunity to run the offense in game situations. The Yellow Jackets found a way to win with a dominating performance rushing the ball, 371 yards and 5 touchdowns in the game. The Yellow Jackets take on the 11th-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish (4-1) on Oct. 19.

How the Loss Affects the Tar Heels

The loss is a tough pill for the Tar Heels as their struggles continue. The toll the injuries have had on the defense was prevalent as the team could not stop the rushing attack of the Yellow Jackets. running back Omarion Hampton turned in a strong performance with 149 total yards and quarterback Jacolby Criswell turned in 282 total yards and 3 touchdowns. With the team's fourth loss of the season, the team enters their Week 8 bye needing to get healthy before finishing the season. The Tar Heels next play Virginia (4-1, 2-0) on Oct. 26.