Georgia Tech Prevails over FSU with game-winning shocker
Praise all the engineering gods! Georgia Tech has finally broken their five-game losing streak by defeating number 9 Florida State, 22-16.
The punch line of this fairytale was the blocked field goal attempt by Patrick Gamble return by the overnight celebrity stud, Lance Austin, for a touchdown. While the cheers from the crowd could be heard for miles, Austin took a moment to dedicate his touchdown to his late grandmother, Louise, as he crossed the goal line.
"I just know when I looked over my shoulder, I didn't see anybody on my backside," Austin told ESPN.com on Sunday. "So I picked it up and started running” (per Matt Fortuna, ESPN Staff Writer).
The game-winning shocker was able to overcome the two early interceptions thrown by Justin Thomas giving a quick 10 point lead for Florida State in the first quarter. Nevertheless, Tech never lost hope in their ability to overcome the Seminoles 28 straight victories over ACC opponents. With 54 seconds left Thomas made a huge play when he threw to Harrison Butker for 35-yarder that tied the game.
The only thing left to do was to guard a field goal kick by Robert Aguayo, who by the way has never missed a fourth quarter kick before. However, Austin clearly had different plans for him, Saturday, and became the savior of the game as well as the “Big Man on Campus”.
Now despite the miraculous Yellow Jacket win, do not be fooled. One play maybe be able to a game but it cannot sustain a season. Yes, good players have been lost from last year such as Deandre Smelter, Zach Laskey, and Deon Hill, but Tech is still struggling to convert on third downs and have not be able to get past six yards or longer since the Clemson game. This has created a tedious streak of 13 consecutive plays. If Tech wants to continue to pull off great upsets, their focus will need to be far more consistent.
Georgia Tech’s chances of repeating another ACC Championship is slim to none. But with the win over FSU, Tech still has a chance to get to bowl game if they can win three out of their last four games. Out of those four Miami and Georgia are the only ones that have a winning record.
In my opinion, I believe Tech will be able to go forward confidently against Virginia and Virginia Tech in the next two weeks. Now considering, Miami is a city known for firing football coaches midseason (both collegiate and professional), Tech’s chances at a bowl game might just come down to the clean, old fashion hate Georgia game. And I believe we all remember what happened last year?
In the meantime, if the Yellow Jackets can get the job done this week against Virginia, I thoroughly look forward to seeing Paul Johnson add some more swag to his tongue wag – or maybe he’s saving that for the ultimate state rivalry.