First half thoughts: GT vs Ole Miss
In their first showing against an SEC opponent and their toughest test of the season, the Jackets kept pace.
Tech started the game on defense against the offensive duo of quarterback Jaxson Dart and running back Quinshon Judkins. Coming into the game, a thin defensive line caused some concern over how they would stop Judkins and get pressure on Dart. However, in their first appearance, the GT defense held up. Jaylon King had a really nice pass deflection on third down and while Dart did break away for a 19-yard run, they were able to hold Ole Miss to a field goal. Georgia Tech 0 - Ole Miss 3.
The offense then took over as Haynes King took the field against a familiar SEC opponent. From the start, King looked more decisive and comfortable. He kept the offense on schedule, connecting on short passes. Running backs Trey Cooley and Jamal Haynes both had nice runs, with Cooley showing off his speed on a fifteen-yard scamper that brought the Jackets to the Ole Miss 30. They had space on the perimeter to extend their runs and looked ready to meet the Ole Miss defensive line. After the drive stalled out, Aiden Birr was brought on to attempt the 43-yard FG.
Unfortunately, Birr's kick was blocked and Ole Miss recovered it on the Jackets' 34-yard line. Dart challenged the GT offense on the ground, ripping off a scramble of ten yards and then scoring on a 1-yard scramble. Dart's scrambling proved to be especially difficult for the Jackets to handle throughout the half and he got going in this drive. Georgia Tech 0 - Ole Miss 10.
In their second appearance, the offense again moved the ball well against a surprisingly suspect Ole Miss defense. King made more aggressive throws, hitting reciever Malik Rutherford and tight end Brent Seither for long gains. Key leaned heavily on King's arm as the quarterback drove the Jackets down the field to the Ole Miss 2. After Jamal Haynes couldn't break the goal-line defense, King hung in the pocket for the gutsy fourth-down throw. He delivered a low strike to reciever Dominic Blaylock, but Blaylock couldn't hang on through the contact and dropped the pass.
Backed up on their own two yard line, Judkins got the Ole Miss offense some breathing room before Dart hit receiver Jordan Watkins to pick up a much-needed sixteen yards. The Tech defense then looked completely lost as Dart broke free for a sixty-seven yard QB run and hit 100 rushing yards in only the first half. The Rebels then drove to the Georgia Tech five-yard line, but fortunately, Myles Sims broke up the pass on Ole Miss's fourth-down attempt.
The Tech offense then had its best drive of the night. Haynes King looked completely comfortable as he used his legs multiple times to pick up key yards and extend the drive. Dylan Leonard and Chase Lane both had big conversions through the air - Leonard had an especially impressive catch where he broke free from the safety and picked up twenty-three yards. GT's run-blocking also stood out - they opened up multiple holes for Jamal Haynes on the ground and Haynes was able to take advantage. He kept the drive going with several nice runs and Ole Miss's defensive front really struggled to bring him down. It will be interesting to see whether the Jackets can sustain their rushing success in the second half.
King then had two end-zone shots - one to receiver Avery Boyd and another to receiver Eric Singleton Jr. Unfortunately, neither could come down with the difficult catches and the Jackets had to settle for an Aiden Birr FG attempt. This time, he converted to put the Jackets on the scoreboard. Georgia Tech 3 - Ole Miss 10.
Ole Miss then took over with 1:09 left and a single timeout. Dart tried to force several throws, but couldn't connect with anyone. Paul Moala and Myles Sims deserve some credit for timely pass breakups. Dart was able to keep the Rebels going with some scrambles and even drove them into FG range. Fortunately, Zeek Biggers was able to block the FG attempt and the Jackets went into the half down seven. Georgia Tech 3 - Ole Miss 10.
Overall, the Jackets looked especially great on the ground, rushing for over 150 yards in the first half. Their defense looked a bit questionable at times, but buckled down in key situations. If King can continue to be decisive, they run the ball well and the defense holds up, there could be a surprise upset in Oxford tonight.
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