Tech outlasts UNC, 68-50 (yes, 68-50)

Link to updated game story here.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Georgia Tech and North Carolina combined to score more points than in any ACC league game ever, but it concluded in typical Yellow Jackets’ fashion.

A clock-grinding, will-defeating drive closed out North Carolina, buttoning up a wild 68-50 win for the Jackets Saturday at Kenan Stadium. Besides the combined points record, it’s the most points Tech has scored in an ACC game.

Quarterback Vad Lee, who entered the game in the third series and never came out, led the Jackets to scores on eight of nine possessions, not counting a half-ending kneeldown. Seven of them were touchdowns, three scored by A-back Robby Godhigh in the third quarter.

In a game that featured five lead changes, Tech took the lead for good with 9:52 to play in the third quarter with a four-yard run by Godhigh.

Taking control of the ball with 10:57 to play in the game with the score 65-50, the Jackets consumed six minutes of clock and finished with a 34-yard field goal by Chris Tanner.

The Georgia Tech-North Carolina game included almost 1,100 yards of total offense, a kickoff return for a touchdown, an interception return for a touchdown and 17 touchdowns total.

Despite the unbelievable score, it was two defensive stops that turned the game in Tech’s favor. In the third quarter, defensive end Izaan Cross intercepted a screen pass that Tech converted into a Tanner field goal for a 44-36 lead. On North Carolina’s next possession, coach Larry Fedora elected to try a fake punt on 4th and 10 from the Tar Heels’ 25-yard line that failed. On the next play, Godhigh took a toss 27 yards for a score that gave Tech a 51-36 lead, which, even on this wild afternoon, proved sufficient.

Tech improves to 5-5 overall and 4-3 in the ACC. UNC fell to 6-4 and 3-3. The Jackets have now beaten the Tar Heels four years in a row, eight of nine and 14 of 16.

Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog