Georgia Tech's Playmakers Flash as Team Swarm Wins 27-24 in Today's Spring Game

Jackson Caudell | Apr 13, 2024

Georgia Tech wide receiver Leo Blackburn / Georgia Tech Athletics

It was finally game day at Bobby Dodd Stadium and Team Swarm and Team Wreck' Em were going to face off in Georgia Tech's annual White and Gold Spring Game. This was the last time the Yellow Jackets would take the field before their big week zero matchup in Ireland against Florida State.

Plenty of guys got a chance to flash their ability and there were plenty of highlights. Aidan Birr nailed a 62-yard field goal, Zach Pyron threw a hail mary touchdown to end the first half, and guys like Chris Elko, Zion Taylor, and other guys got a chance to shine as well. Both freshman quarterbacks settled in and showcaed their talent as well. Overall, it was a good spring game that showcased Georgia Tech's playmakers and newcomers for the first time.

First on the field was the Yellow Jackets No. 1 offense against the No. 2 defense and it looked like Georgia Tech's offense picked up right where they left off at the end of the season. They moved the ball right down the field, most of it due to running back Jamal Haynes. Haynes had some big runs and King found Malik Rutherford for a big third down conversion to get Team Swarm into the redzone. Haynes ran the ball into the end zone and Team Swarm took an early 7-0 lead.

Right back to his old ways 💨@Jamalhaynes16 with the first TD of the day pic.twitter.com/kaVmBCB55R

— Georgia Tech Football (@GeorgiaTechFB) April 13, 2024

Team Wreck'Em got the ball next and Zach Pyron was in at quarterback. Their offense stalled out and was forced to punt it back to Team Swarm.

The next drive ended with one of the most impressive things that you will see in any spring game. After Team Wreck'Em was unable to pick up a first down, Aidan Birr came in to attempt a 62-yard field goal. Birr nailed the kick and was surrounded by teammates in celebration. Birr came on last year and ended up being one of the most consistent kickers in the ACC. It could be a sign of a big season to come.

Cold as ever 🥶🥶@Birrskiii from 62 yards out 🙌 pic.twitter.com/y5HcsOW6yS

— Georgia Tech Football (@GeorgiaTechFB) April 13, 2024

The first turnover of the game came when Haynes King's pass was tipped by safety Taye Seymore and intercepted by Kace Adams.

The first quarter ended with a field goal attempt and miss from Gavin Stewart. Team Swarm led the game 7-3 after the first quarter.

Haynes had six carries for 44 yards in the first quarter while Haynes King was 4-7 for 48 yards. Pyron was 3-6 for 32 yards. The leading receiver for either team was Eric Singelton Jr, who had one catch for 15 yards.

To start off the second quarter, Team Swarm marched down the field and it was another efficient drive for King at quarterback. He drove the ball down the field and found Rutherford for a touchdown. Rutherford looked like he was in midseason form. Rutherford broke a few tackles and got into the endzone to give Team Swarm a 14-3 lead.

True freshman Aaron Philo got in the next series at quarterback and the offense stalled out, ending with a sack by Kevin Harris.

The defense for both teams was playing well in the second quarter, not allowing big plays to the offense.

After a missed field goal by Birr, Wreck'Em got the ball back and Philo looked for a more successful drive than his last one.

The freshman found his groove on this drive and it looked like he had a big play to wide receiver Zion Taylor, but the play was wiped out due to the offense calling a timeout before. After the timeout, Philo was under duress, but found wide receiver Bailey Stockton for big gain that got them into the redzone. Then, Philo found Abdul Janneh for a touchdown that cut the lead to 14-10 right before the half.

Pyron and Team Swarm only had 17 seconds to work with to try and score before the half. Pyron found tight end Ryland Goede for a reception. Then, Pyron rolled to his left and heaved the ball for a hail mary attempt to end the half and it was caught by wide receiver Chris Elko for a 54-yard touchdown to end the half. It was a fantastic play by both Pyron and Elko and Team Wreck'Em only trailed 14-10 going into the half.

At the half, King was 11-15 for 99 yards and Pyron was 4-7 for 89 yards. Philo finished the first half 2-3 for 40 yards and a touchdown.

Haynes still led all rushers with 44 yards on six carries, Evan Dickens had four carries for 22 yards, and Trey Cooley had five for 23 yards.

Malik Rutherford had five catches for 50 yards, Stockton had two catches for 41 yards, Janneh had three catches for 31 yards and a touchdown, Goede had three receptions for 25 yards, and Singleton Jr had two catches for 30 yards.

After halftime, it was time for freshman quarterback Graham Knowles to make his Georgia Tech debut.

His first pass was nearly intercepted and then he threw an incompletion on third down. The drive ended in a punt and Team Swarm took over.

Zach Pyron took over and the connnection that worked in the first half carried over to the second. Pyron found Elko for two big catches to get Team Swarm into the red zone and the drive ended with Pyron throwing a touchdown pass to Leo Blackburn. It was great to see Blackburn on the field and making plays.

Brody Rhodes got his opportunity at quarterback on the next drive and he showed off his athleticism by ripping off a couple of runs and getting Team Wreck'Em into the red zone. Rodney Shelley had a big pass breakup in the endzone on third down and Wreck'Em opted to go for it. Rhodes threw a pass into the end zone and was intercepted by Warren Burrell and the drive ended.

Knowles took over for his second drive of the game and much like Philo, he looked more comfortable in his second drive. He found Blackburn and Elko to get past midfield. The third quarter ended with Blackburn picking up a first down and moving closer to scoring.

The drive would stall out though and Team Wreck'Em would take over.

Philo was back in at quarterback and he led another impressive drive down the field. He found Stockton for a huge gain to get them into opposing territory and the drive ended with Philo throwing another touchdown pass, this one to Zion Taylor in the corner of the endzone.

After Team Swarm's drive stalled out, Ben Guthrie took over at quarter and got the team down the field, with Taylor once again making plays. Taylor was an impressive recruit coming out of high school and was a playmaker on the field today.

That is how the game ended. Team Swarm won the day and won 27-24. It was a great day for the Yellow Jackets to showcase their talent.

For the day passing, King finished 11-15 for 99 yards, Pyron threw for 162 on 8-14 passing, Knowles was 6-11 for 69, Philo was 6-9 for 120 yards, Ben Gutherie was 4-7 for 57 yards and Rhodes was 1-5 for nine yards.

Elko led everyone in receiving with 136 yards on four catches. Stockton had 93 yards on three catches and Taylor had 71 yards on three catches. All three guys had very good days catching the football.

Nico Dowdell had five tackles, freshman linebacker Tah'j Butler had four tackles, and Jackson Hamilton and E.J. Lightsey each had four. Warren Burrell and Cace Adams each had an interception.

Up next for Georgia Tech will be week zero opener in Ireland against defending ACC champion Florida State. That will be a huge game for the program and a chance to jumpstart a successful 2024 season.