Georgia Tech vs. Miami: Three Biggest Takeaways from the Jackets’ Electric Win

The Jackets stun Miami 23-20 at the bell, here's what to take away

Matthew Kistner | Oct 8, 2023

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From a heartbreaking home loss last week to Brent Key gaining his third-ranked road victory as head man this week, this season is sure to be quite the story for the Yellow Jackets.

The play is all over the internet as redshirt sophomore quarterback Haynes King rolled to his right and launched a 44-yard dime to junior receiver Christian Leary for a go-ahead touchdown with just one second left in the game. The Jackets gained said opportunity after Miami failed to just run the clock out on a kneel down, but rather the Hurricanes ran the ball in an attempt to end the game. Miami would fumble the ball away to Georgia Tech with 26 seconds to go in the game and the rest is history.

This win remarkably puts Brent Key at 3-0 on the road against ranked ACC opponents, and just 3-1 overall against ranked opponents on the road. This week was riddled with speculation, negativity, and a big coaching swap as Kevin Sherrer was promoted to defensive coordinator and the Jackets were able to answer the call.

This incredible bounce-back victory has a lot to take away from it, but here are the three biggest:

1. The defense and staff answered the call

Despite allowing 454 yards from Miami, the Jackets rose to the occasion in multiple circumstances. The defense forced five turnovers in the game, almost all of which occurred on the Yellow Jackets side of the field while Miami was mounting a drive. Of Georgia Tech’s 23 points, 16 of them came from a drive started by a defensive forced turnover.

The team allowed 165 yards on the ground on 47 carries which comes out to 3.5 yards per carry. On just the eye test, the defense stopped the run a lot more efficiently than in past games this season: a huge sigh of relief for Tech fans. Redshirt senior linebacker Paul Moala and junior defensive back LaMiles Brooks really highlighted the game for the defense as they seemed to be everywhere all the time.

Myles Sims, K.J Wallace — Georgia Tech's defense held Miami to just 3.5 yards per carry on 47 carries / Nathaniel Caudell

Brooks grabbed his first interception of the season in the endzone when Miami was threatening to score in the first half. Moala forced the fumble that would end up allowing Tech to mount the 26-second game-winning drive; he also had the lone sack of the game for the Yellow Jacket defense. The defense held Miami to just three points in the first half and, overall, won this game for Georgia Tech. Sherrer’s debut as defensive coordinator was a great job against a talented Hurricanes offensive attack.

2. The offense has to find a rhythm

Despite winning this game, the offense never really found a rhythm on the field, as they only gained 250 yards the entire game: a majority of which came in the second half. Tech only had 13 first downs and was held scoreless the whole first half with just one drive that ended in Miami territory. King threw two costly interceptions, one of which set Miami up to kick what appeared to be a go-ahead field goal to put the game at 20-17.

The offense consistently struggled to get something going; however, they answered the call when it mattered most. Redshirt sophomore receivers Malik Rutherford and Leary found open pockets in the Hurricane's defense to allow for a two-play cruise to the endzone to secure the game. The offense really only mounted one drive of their own though as 16 of their points came from the defense setting them up with turnover momentum.

Brent Key moves to 3-0 on the road against ranked ACC opponents / Nathaniel Caudell

King went 12-25 with 151 yards and a score. King also led the way for rushing with 54 yards on 10 carries while redshirt sophomore running back Jamal Haynes was just behind with 33 yards on seven carries. The playcalling needs to be more creative for Tech to allow the team to settle into the game. The Jackets were running the ball on third and long consistently despite the run not working all game. The offensive performance was not the best, but nonetheless, the team found a way to win.

3. The Bowl Game hopes are alive

Last week, our lead editor, Jackson, claimed that a bowl game was not going to happen in 2023. Well, I love to say it, but this win opens that door again. Tech’s game against Boston College on Oct. 21 will tell all as the Eagles also sit at 3-3 and are a must-win for the Jackets to have any hope. Tech can also find a win against Virginia on Nov. 4; however, Tech will need to pull an upset somewhere in there over UNC, Clemson, Syracuse, or Georgia. Clemson has not looked like themselves this season and Syracuse just got blown out by UNC in a momentum-killing game.

A bowl game is very much in sight for the Jackets if they continue to play like they did last night on the defensive side of the ball.

Last night’s game leaves a lot to be hopeful for in this season and is just the bounce back the team needed after last week’s heartbreaker. Go Jackets!

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