Jackets Run Past UCF in Gasparilla Bowl Win – Football — Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

by

TAMPA, Fla. – Georgia Tech roared back from an early 14-0 deficit and thoroughly dominated UCF over the final two-and-a-half quarters to win the 2023 Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl, 30-17, on Friday evening at Raymond James Stadium.

With its first bowl win since 2016, Georgia Tech (7-6) finished with a winning record for the first time since 2018. The Yellow Jackets also moved into a tie with Clemson, Nebraska and Ohio State for 10th all-time with its 26th bowl victory and moved into 11th place all-time with a .565 winning percentage in bowl games.

Things did not go Tech’s way early in the contest, as UCF raced out to leads of 14-0 and 17-3. On its first four possessions, they rolled up 243 yards en route to the 17-3 advantage.

However, the Yellow Jackets began to turn the tide midway through the second quarter, when their offense settled in on a seven-play, 74-yard drive the culminated with 5-yard touchdown run by Haynes King and pulled the Jackets within a score at 17-10.

Next, it was Tech’s defense’s turn to settle in, as it forced a three-and-out on UCF’s next possession. The Jackets followed that up with a six-play, 67-yard drive, capped by a 41-yard touchdown pass from King to Malik Rutherford and, after the horrid start, Tech sent the game into halftime knotted at 17-17.

The second half was all Georgia Tech, as the Jackets scored on three of their first four possessions after the break and blanked the Knights for the duration of the game to seal the victory. Tech outmuscled the worn-down Knights down the stretch, running the ball on 23-straight plays to end the game (not including kneel-downs). The physical domination in the run game led to a 19:30-10:30 advantage in time of possession for Tech in the second half.

Jamal Haynes led Georgia Tech’s 284-yard rushing attack with a career-high 128 yards on just 18 carries (7.1 avg.), giving him 1,059 yards for the season, good for the first 1,000-yard rushing campaign by a Yellow Jacket since 2017. King ran for 89 yards and a score on just 12 carries (7.4 avg.) and Dontae Smith added 65 yards in his final collegiate game, including a 1-yard touchdown run that capped the scoring in the fourth quarter.

Defensively, Kyle Efford led the Yellow Jackets with nine tackles and became the first freshman to lead Tech in tackles for a season since 2000. Ahmari Harvey had six tackles and a career-high three passes defended, including his third interception of the season that sealed the victory with 1:28 to go.

Multimedia

Georgia Tech Postgame Press Conference (Video)

Game Highlights (ACC Digital Network)

Condensed Game (ACC Digital Network)

Around Social Media

Reference 

Denial of responsibility! Pedfire is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
DMCA compliant image

Leave a Comment

About Contact Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Terms of USE Disclaimer DMCA

© 2024 Pedfire. All Rights Reserved. Website Design and Created by Team Pedfire