Georgia Tech Offense Stymied By Pitt Defense in 20-10 Loss

Pittsburgh's defense sure did live up to the hype.

In the 71st homecoming game in Georgia Tech history, the Yellow Jackets (2-6, 1-4) fell by a score of 20-10 to the Pitt Panthers (6-3, 3-2) at Bobby Dodd Stadium, in a game most likely best described as a "defensive slugfest".

The Panthers defense held Georgia Tech to their lowest offensive output of the season, generating only 194 yards of offense and posting their first sub-200 yard performance of 2019. Conversely, Georgia Tech had arguably their best defensive performance of the season, forcing 3 first half turnovers and holding Pitt to the second lowest point total of 2019 by a Georgia Tech opponent. Juanyeh Thomas led the way defensively for the Yellow Jackets, racking up 8 tackles (second behind David Curry's 10) as well as pair of tackles for loss and an interception

The difference in this game however was that Pitt was able to overcome offensively while Tech could not. The WR tandem of Maurice Ffrench and Taysir Mack combined for 118 yards on 16 receptions, with Ffrench hauling in a career-high 11 receptions. On the other hand, Tech struggled to find any sort of rhythm through the air for a majority of the game They completed only 8 passes on the day, with 4 of them belonging to freshman Ahmarean Brown. Jordan Mason also suffered at the hands of the Pitt defensive line, totaling only 56 rushing yards while Pitt's AJ & Vincent Davis combined for 142.

The #1 sacking team in the nation, Pitt didn't register their first one of the game until two minutes left in the first half. But their defensive front had given James Graham and company all kinds of fits prior to that. Heading into the half, Graham was only 2-9 through the air and was limited to 30 yards on the ground, although one of his 2 first half completions was a beautiful 51 yard touchdown pass to Ahmarean Brown.

Quick strike ⚡️

A 51-yard dime and @GeorgiaTechFB is on the board. pic.twitter.com/kKgfk7rzmV
— Bally Sports South (@BallySportsSO) November 2, 2019

While their offense struggled to get going in the first half, the defense did a solid job despite giving up 17 points. The Panthers took a quick 10-0 lead just 8.5 minutes into the game thanks to a field goal and a 61 yard direct snap to AJ Davis, but the defense adjusted. Georgia Tech forced 3 Pitt turnovers in the first half including a pair of interceptions form Juanyeh Thomas & Tariq Carpenter and a forced fumble from team-leading tackler David Curry.

Trailing 17-7 at the half, the Yellow Jackets had to find some sort of offensive rhythm against Pitt's stout defense. Head coach Geoff Collins opted to go with Lucas Johnson in the second half, who had not seen snaps under center since the home loss vs. The Citadel. But the spark would wind up coming on special teams from Jerry Howard Jr. He logged Tech's second blocked punt of the season, doing so while Pitt was pinned on their own 29 yard line, leading to a field goal and bringing the Yellow Jackets within a touchdown.

Tech finally got a meaningful drive going in the second half, driving 68 yards down the field on 10 plays halfway through the third quarter. Unfortunately, that drive ended just one yard short of tying the game. On a 3rd down QB draw, Lucas Johnson coughed up the ball at the 1 yard line, and Pitt's Cam Bright ran the other way with it to the edge of the red zone.

Like they had done in the first half, the defense continued to come up strong. After the fumble recovery, the defense forced 3 consecutive negative yardage plays out of Pitt, limiting them to only a field goal. This included holding Panthers receiver Maurice Ffrench to -2 yards on 4 catches in the second half after he had 73 yards on 7 catches in the first.

But the offense took a hit as the second half progressed. James Graham would be forced to go back into the game in the fourth quarter, after Lucas Johnson had suffered an apparent injury in his drive where he fumbled the ball. Outside of their 68 yard/10 play drive, Tech only mustered 25 yards of offense in the second half. By the end of the game, the defense had been thoroughly exhausted and could not stop Pitt from running out the clock and escaping Atlanta with their 6th win of the season.

Georgia Tech is back in action next weekend on the road against the Virginia Cavaliers. Kickoff is slated for Saturday, November 9th at 12:30pm.

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