Georgia Tech escaped with a dramatic 30-27 victory over Clemson Thursday night in Atlanta – holding off a ferocious Tiger comeback and narrowly averting an upset loss in this critical early-season ACC showdown.
For awhile, though, it looked as if the prime time, nationally-televised match-up was going to be a snoozer, as a pair of special teams touchdowns early in the game had the Yellow Jackets (2-0, 1-0 ACC) cruising.
But that’s when the wheels came off of the Ramblin’ Wreck.
Leading 24-0 midway through the second quarter, the Jackets’ offense suddenly sputtered while their defense gave up four consecutive second-half scoring drives to the Tiger offense. How bad did it get? At one point, Georgia Tech quarterback Josh Nesbitt had more interceptions than completions, people.
Meanwhile, redshirt freshman quarterback Kyle Parker was doing his best Joe Montana impersonation for the Tigers, launching a pair of long, second half touchdown bombs to CJ Spiller and Jacoby Ford.
Before the Jackets knew what hit them, Clemson had reeled off 27 unanswered points to take a three-point lead with 11:33 left in the fourth quarter. “Uncle Mo” had swung decidedly in favor of Dabo Swinney’s team, while Tech appeared to be every bit as dumbstruck as the Tigers had been earlier in the evening.
That’s when Tech finally woke up, though, putting together a key 69-yard drive to tie the game at 27-27 on a 34-yard Scott Blair field goal with five minutes left on the clock.
After forcing a Clemson punt, Tech marched 47 yards to set up the game-winning kick with a minute left – sealing the heartbreaking defeat for Clemson (1-1, 0-1 ACC).
In addition to nailing two clutch fourth quarter field goals, Blair was responsible for one of the two special teams touchdowns earlier in the game, a 34-yard touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas.
On the night, Spiller had 87 yards on 20 carries and also caught four passes for 67 yards, not numbers that are likely to impress Heisman voters. Meanwhile, Parker completed 15 of 31 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns. He also threw two interceptions, although one was a deflection off of a dropped pass.
Click on the photos below for high-resolution images from the game …
By Weighing In September 11, 2009 at 7:50 am
I almost turned the channel in an effort to avoid boredom, but went back after the 2nd half…glad I did. They looked they had switched sides. Ga Tech looked like an old USC Holtz team trying to protect what they had, but you can’t do that against a team like Clemson with that kind of speed.
I do have to question the last series. Why not try a first down? Give Parker some rythym. I think it showed the youth of Napier and Swinney a bit.
By Weighing In September 11, 2009 at 7:51 am
and by the way, the girl in the top right of the picture….makes me want to be an engineer!!!
By Toyota Kawaski September 11, 2009 at 8:28 am
Don’t like Clempson but Kyle “tight pants” Parker is one hell of a QB.Hope he decides to stick with baseball
By Brandon September 11, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Ha looks like somebody got STUNG!
By dj September 11, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Who’s the dork in the pic raising his arms? lol. Hai!!!
By Patriot September 12, 2009 at 9:51 am
Sports, soap operas for men! They don’t know who is making the laws that take away their freedoms and money, but they do know who can run the fastest and jump the highest. Little girls are watching their daddy’s worship.
By CNSYD September 12, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Patriot, where did you get that stuff you smoke?